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FBI raids several California homes, including Oakland mayor's

FBI agents carry boxes out of a house associated with Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao during a raid in Oakland, Calif., on Thursday, June 20, 2024. Federal authorities raided a home belonging to Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao early Thursday as part of an investigation that included a search of at least two other houses, authorities said. (Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group via AP) The Associated Press OAKLAND, Calif. -- Federal authorities raided a home belonging to Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao early Thursday as part of a California investigation that included a search of at least two other houses, officials said. FBI agents carried boxes out of 80 Maiden Lane, a four-bedroom home that property records link to the first-term mayor, the San Francisco Chronicle reported. Thao's spokesperson Francis Zamora referred inquiries to the FBI. "The FBI conducted court-authorized law enforcement activity on Maiden Lane in Oakland this morning. We are unable to provide additional information at this time," a bureau statement said. Agents also carried out searches about three miles to the south at two homes owned by members of the politically influential Duong family that owns the recycling company Cal Waste Solutions, the Chronicle said. The firm has been investigated over campaign contributions to Thao and other elected city officials, the local news outlet Oaklandside reported in 2020. One of the properties is owned by Andy Duong and the other is connected to David and Linda Duong, according to records cited by the Chronicle. Phone messages and emails seeking comment on the raid from Cal Waste Solutions officials were not immediately returned. Personal phone numbers for members of the Duong family could not be found. Thao, 38, is facing a recall election less than two years into her term as mayor. The city clerk's office last week notified leaders behind the recall effort that they had gathered enough verified signatures to qualify for the ballot in November. Increased crime and budgetary problems have challenged Thao since she assumed office in January 2023 after a stint on the Oakland City Council.

usa

FBI raids several California homes, including Oakland mayor's. FBI agents carry boxes out of a house associated with Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao during a raid in Oakland, Calif., on Thursday, June 20, 2024. Federal authorities raided a home belonging to Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao early Thursday as part of an investigation that included a search of at least two other houses, authorities said. (Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group via AP) The Associated Press OAKLAND, Calif. -- Federal authorities raided a home belonging to Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao early Thursday as part of a California investigation that included a search of at least two other houses, officials said. FBI agents carried boxes out of 80 Maiden Lane, a four-bedroom home that property records link to the first-term mayor, the San Francisco Chronicle reported. Thao's spokesperson Francis Zamora referred inquiries to the FBI. "The FBI conducted court-authorized law enforcement activity on Maiden Lane in Oakland this morning. We are unable to provide additional information at this time," a bureau statement said. Agents also carried out searches about three miles to the south at two homes owned by members of the politically influential Duong family that owns the recycling company Cal Waste Solutions, the Chronicle said. The firm has been investigated over campaign contributions to Thao and other elected city officials, the local news outlet Oaklandside reported in 2020. One of the properties is owned by Andy Duong and the other is connected to David and Linda Duong, according to records cited by the Chronicle. Phone messages and emails seeking comment on the raid from Cal Waste Solutions officials were not immediately returned. Personal phone numbers for members of the Duong family could not be found. Thao, 38, is facing a recall election less than two years into her term as mayor. The city clerk's office last week notified leaders behind the recall effort that they had gathered enough verified signatures to qualify for the ballot in November. Increased crime and budgetary problems have challenged Thao since she assumed office in January 2023 after a stint on the Oakland City Council.

Biden accuses Trump of 'having sex with a porn star' and 'the morals of an alley cat'

Fox News host Sean Hannity says former President Trump should focus on the future of the country during the CNN Presidential Debate. President Biden accused former President Trump of "having sex with a porn star" and said he has "the morals of an alley cat," but the presumptive Republican nominee maintained that he did not, and accused Biden of being behind his legal cases because "he can't win fair and square." During the CNN Presidential Debate Simulcast Thursday night, Biden pointed to Trump being convicted on all counts out of Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg's investigation related to hush money payments made to adult film actress Stormy Daniels. Stormy Daniels is questioned by defense attorney Susan Necheles during Former U.S. President Donald Trump's criminal trial on charges that he falsified business records to conceal money paid to silence porn star Stormy Daniels in 2016, in Manhattan state court in New York City, U.S., May 9, 2024, in this courtroom sketch. (REUTERS/Jane Rosenberg) TRUMP ORDERED TO PAY MORE THAN $80 MILLION IN E. JEAN CARROLL DEFAMATION TRIAL Biden also pointed to the case brought against Trump by E. Jean Carroll, who accused Trump of rape and defamation. "How many billions of dollars do you owe civil penalties for molesting a woman in public? For doing a whole range of things—having sex with a porn star…while your wife was pregnant?" Biden said. "You have the morals of an alley cat during the night, sir." Former President Donald Trump is leading four percentage points ahead of President Biden, according to a new New York Times/Siena College poll. (Getty Images) In the E. Jean Carroll case, a federal jury decided Trump must pay an $83.3 million to her for denying allegations that he raped her in the 1990s. Trump's legal team has requested a new trial and appealed the ruling, but was rejected in April. But Trump, Thursday night, fired back, defending himself. "I didn't have sex with a porn star, number one," he said. "Number two, that was a case that was started, and they moved a high-ranking official—DOJ—into the Manhattan DA's office to start the case." Trump was referring to Matthew Colangelo, who served as a senior DOJ official in the Biden administration, and left to join Bragg's prosecution team. EX-TOP BIDEN DOJ OFFICIAL NOW PROSECUTING TRUMP WAS ONCE PAID BY DNC FOR 'POLITICAL CONSULTING' A jury found Trump guilty on 34 counts of falsifying business records in the first degree in New York v. Trump. Trump has vowed to appeal that verdict. "That case is going to be appealed and won. We had a very terrible judge, a horrible judge, the prosecutors were all high-ranking Democrats, appointed people," Trump said. Trump accused Biden, saying he "went after his political opponent because he thought it was going to damage me." "But when the public found out about the cases, because they understand it better than he does, he has no idea what these cases are, but when they found about these cases, you know what they did—my poll numbers went way up," Trump said. "You know that—because you're reporting it." CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP Trump also said his campaign "took in more money in the last two weeks than we've ever taken in in the history of any campaign."

politics

Biden accuses Trump of 'having sex with a porn star' and 'the morals of an alley cat'. Fox News host Sean Hannity says former President Trump should focus on the future of the country during the CNN Presidential Debate. President Biden accused former President Trump of "having sex with a porn star" and said he has "the morals of an alley cat," but the presumptive Republican nominee maintained that he did not, and accused Biden of being behind his legal cases because "he can't win fair and square." During the CNN Presidential Debate Simulcast Thursday night, Biden pointed to Trump being convicted on all counts out of Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg's investigation related to hush money payments made to adult film actress Stormy Daniels. Stormy Daniels is questioned by defense attorney Susan Necheles during Former U.S. President Donald Trump's criminal trial on charges that he falsified business records to conceal money paid to silence porn star Stormy Daniels in 2016, in Manhattan state court in New York City, U.S., May 9, 2024, in this courtroom sketch. (REUTERS/Jane Rosenberg) TRUMP ORDERED TO PAY MORE THAN $80 MILLION IN E. JEAN CARROLL DEFAMATION TRIAL Biden also pointed to the case brought against Trump by E. Jean Carroll, who accused Trump of rape and defamation. "How many billions of dollars do you owe civil penalties for molesting a woman in public? For doing a whole range of things—having sex with a porn star…while your wife was pregnant?" Biden said. "You have the morals of an alley cat during the night, sir." Former President Donald Trump is leading four percentage points ahead of President Biden, according to a new New York Times/Siena College poll. (Getty Images) In the E. Jean Carroll case, a federal jury decided Trump must pay an $83.3 million to her for denying allegations that he raped her in the 1990s. Trump's legal team has requested a new trial and appealed the ruling, but was rejected in April. But Trump, Thursday night, fired back, defending himself. "I didn't have sex with a porn star, number one," he said. "Number two, that was a case that was started, and they moved a high-ranking official—DOJ—into the Manhattan DA's office to start the case." Trump was referring to Matthew Colangelo, who served as a senior DOJ official in the Biden administration, and left to join Bragg's prosecution team. EX-TOP BIDEN DOJ OFFICIAL NOW PROSECUTING TRUMP WAS ONCE PAID BY DNC FOR 'POLITICAL CONSULTING' A jury found Trump guilty on 34 counts of falsifying business records in the first degree in New York v. Trump. Trump has vowed to appeal that verdict. "That case is going to be appealed and won. We had a very terrible judge, a horrible judge, the prosecutors were all high-ranking Democrats, appointed people," Trump said. Trump accused Biden, saying he "went after his political opponent because he thought it was going to damage me." "But when the public found out about the cases, because they understand it better than he does, he has no idea what these cases are, but when they found about these cases, you know what they did—my poll numbers went way up," Trump said. "You know that—because you're reporting it." CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP Trump also said his campaign "took in more money in the last two weeks than we've ever taken in in the history of any campaign."

Ammonites' fate sealed by meteor strike that wiped out dinosaurs

Ammonites were not in decline before their extinction, scientists have found. The marine molluscs with coiled shells and one of palaeontology's great icons flourished in Earth's oceans for more than 350 million years until they died out during the same chance event that wiped out the dinosaurs 66 million years ago. Some palaeontologists have argued that their demise was inevitable and that ammonite diversity was decreasing long before they went extinct at the end of the Cretaceous. However new research, published today in Nature Communications and led by palaeontologists at the University of Bristol, shows that their fate was not set in stone. Instead, the final chapter in ammonite evolutionary history is more complex. "Understanding how and why biodiversity has changed through time is very challenging," said lead author Dr Joseph Flannery-Sutherland. "The fossil record tells us some of the story, but it is often an unreliable narrator. Patterns of diversity can just reflect patterns of sampling, essentially where and when we have found new fossil species, rather than actual biological history. "Analysing the existing Late Cretaceous ammonite fossil record as though it were the complete, global story is probably why previous researchers have thought they were in long-term ecological decline." To overcome this issue, the team assembled a new database of Late Cretaceous ammonite fossils to help fill in the sampling gaps in their record. "We drew on museum collections to provide new sources of specimens rather than just relying on what had already been published," said co-author Cameron Crossan, a 2023 graduate of the University of Bristol's Palaeobiology MSc programme. "This way we could be sure that we were getting a more accurate picture of their biodiversity prior to their total extinction." Using their database, the team then analysed how ammonite speciation and extinction rates varied in different parts of the globe. If ammonites were in decline through the Late Cretaceous, then their extinction rates would have been generally higher than their speciation rates wherever the team looked. What the team instead found was that the balance of speciation and extinction changed both through geological time and between different geographic regions. "These differences in ammonoid diversification around the world is a crucial part of why their Late Cretaceous story has been misunderstood," said senior author Dr James Witts of the Natural History Museum, London. "Their fossil record in parts of North America is very well sampled, but if you looked at this alone then you might think that they were struggling, while they were actually flourishing in other regions. Their extinction really was a chance event and not an inevitable outcome." To find out what was responsible for the continued success of ammonites through the Late Cretaceous, the team looked at potential factors might have caused their diversity to change through time. They were particularly interested in whether their speciation and extinction rates were driven mainly by environmental conditions like ocean temperature and sea level (the Court Jester Hypothesis), or by biological processes like pressure from predators and competition between ammonites themselves (the Red Queen Hypothesis). "What we found was that the causes of ammonite speciation and extinction were as geographically varied as the rates themselves," said co-author Dr Corinne Myers of the University of New Mexico. "You couldn't just look at their total fossil record and say that their diversity was driven entirely by changing temperature, for example. It was more complex than that and depended on where in the world they were living." "Palaeontologists are frequently fans of silver bullet narratives for what drove changes in a group's fossil diversity, but our work shows that things are not always so straightforward," Dr Flannery Sutherland concluded. "We can't necessarily trust global fossil datasets and need to analyse them at regional scales. This way we can capture a much more nuanced picture of how diversity changed across space and through time, which also shows how variation in the balance of Red Queen versus Court Jester effects shaped these changes." Copyright 1995-2024 ScienceDaily or by other parties, where indicated. All rights controlled by their respective owners. Content on this website is for information only. It is not intended to provide medical or other professional advice. Views expressed here do not necessarily reflect those of ScienceDaily, contributors or partners. Financial support for ScienceDaily comes from advertisements and referral programs.

science

Ammonites' fate sealed by meteor strike that wiped out dinosaurs. Ammonites were not in decline before their extinction, scientists have found. The marine molluscs with coiled shells and one of palaeontology's great icons flourished in Earth's oceans for more than 350 million years until they died out during the same chance event that wiped out the dinosaurs 66 million years ago. Some palaeontologists have argued that their demise was inevitable and that ammonite diversity was decreasing long before they went extinct at the end of the Cretaceous. However new research, published today in Nature Communications and led by palaeontologists at the University of Bristol, shows that their fate was not set in stone. Instead, the final chapter in ammonite evolutionary history is more complex. "Understanding how and why biodiversity has changed through time is very challenging," said lead author Dr Joseph Flannery-Sutherland. "The fossil record tells us some of the story, but it is often an unreliable narrator. Patterns of diversity can just reflect patterns of sampling, essentially where and when we have found new fossil species, rather than actual biological history. "Analysing the existing Late Cretaceous ammonite fossil record as though it were the complete, global story is probably why previous researchers have thought they were in long-term ecological decline." To overcome this issue, the team assembled a new database of Late Cretaceous ammonite fossils to help fill in the sampling gaps in their record. "We drew on museum collections to provide new sources of specimens rather than just relying on what had already been published," said co-author Cameron Crossan, a 2023 graduate of the University of Bristol's Palaeobiology MSc programme. "This way we could be sure that we were getting a more accurate picture of their biodiversity prior to their total extinction." Using their database, the team then analysed how ammonite speciation and extinction rates varied in different parts of the globe. If ammonites were in decline through the Late Cretaceous, then their extinction rates would have been generally higher than their speciation rates wherever the team looked. What the team instead found was that the balance of speciation and extinction changed both through geological time and between different geographic regions. "These differences in ammonoid diversification around the world is a crucial part of why their Late Cretaceous story has been misunderstood," said senior author Dr James Witts of the Natural History Museum, London. "Their fossil record in parts of North America is very well sampled, but if you looked at this alone then you might think that they were struggling, while they were actually flourishing in other regions. Their extinction really was a chance event and not an inevitable outcome." To find out what was responsible for the continued success of ammonites through the Late Cretaceous, the team looked at potential factors might have caused their diversity to change through time. They were particularly interested in whether their speciation and extinction rates were driven mainly by environmental conditions like ocean temperature and sea level (the Court Jester Hypothesis), or by biological processes like pressure from predators and competition between ammonites themselves (the Red Queen Hypothesis). "What we found was that the causes of ammonite speciation and extinction were as geographically varied as the rates themselves," said co-author Dr Corinne Myers of the University of New Mexico. "You couldn't just look at their total fossil record and say that their diversity was driven entirely by changing temperature, for example. It was more complex than that and depended on where in the world they were living." "Palaeontologists are frequently fans of silver bullet narratives for what drove changes in a group's fossil diversity, but our work shows that things are not always so straightforward," Dr Flannery Sutherland concluded. "We can't necessarily trust global fossil datasets and need to analyse them at regional scales. This way we can capture a much more nuanced picture of how diversity changed across space and through time, which also shows how variation in the balance of Red Queen versus Court Jester effects shaped these changes." Copyright 1995-2024 ScienceDaily or by other parties, where indicated. All rights controlled by their respective owners. Content on this website is for information only. It is not intended to provide medical or other professional advice. Views expressed here do not necessarily reflect those of ScienceDaily, contributors or partners. Financial support for ScienceDaily comes from advertisements and referral programs.

Iran opens voting in an election to replace the late hard-line President Ebrahim Raisi, who died in a helicopter crash

Iran opens voting in an election to replace the late hard-line President Ebrahim Raisi, who died in a helicopter crash

world

Iran opens voting in an election to replace the late hard-line President Ebrahim Raisi, who died in a helicopter crash. Iran opens voting in an election to replace the late hard-line President Ebrahim Raisi, who died in a helicopter crash

METABORA SINGAPORE Updates BORA 3.0 and Adopts Deflationary Tokenomics

SINGAPORE (CEO Gyehan Song) announced that it has updated BORA mainnet to version 3.0 and completed the implementation of deflationary tokenomics These changes include: Integration of the dual-token structure of tBORA and bGAS into a single BORA mainnet token, Introduction of a token gas fee policy to stimulate the BORA chain, Migration of onboarding games and blockchain services deployed on BORA 2.0 to the updated mainnet. Additionally, the previous inflation model has been abandoned in favor of a new 'Dynamic Token Burning Model,' which burns a certain proportion of BORA paid as gas fees. The initial burning rate under this model is set at 50%. With these changes, BORA is set to transition to a deflationary tokenomics model. The plan is to further activate token burning through the enhancement of blockchain services linked to new games and other content scheduled for release in the second half of the year. In line with its business expansion, BORA will also introduce new onboarding content sequentially. This includes the launch of multiple titles in the global market, such as a baseball simulation game based on a major global IP and 'Birdie Squad 2024,' which features live coverage of KLPGA. These initiatives aim to expand the BORA ecosystem into the sports and entertainment content sectors. Through this mainnet update, Metabora Singapore plans to show an evolved BORA service and ecosystem. Meanwhile, METABORA SINGAPORE is expanding cross-chains with various global platforms such as Polygon, Near Protocol, Ethereum, and Binance Chain to expand the global ecosystem of BORA and is preparing for a variety of content services beyond games. Detailed information about BORA 3.0 Mainnet update is available on the BORA Portal website. As a subsidiary of METABORA, a casual and blockchain game developer, and a developer of blockchain platform BORA, METABORA SINGAPORE is servicing user-friendly blockchain-based games and entertainment contents based on a myriad of experiences in development and service. BORA Platform is associated with various partners across the industries capable of bringing a shift and advance in tokenomics, content and blockchain technology, and covers a range of contents from game to entertainment to guild DAO through an aggressive eco fund investment and partnership. Also, it is developing services optimized to GameFi such as NFT trading, token exchange and

entertainment

METABORA SINGAPORE Updates BORA 3.0 and Adopts Deflationary Tokenomics. SINGAPORE (CEO Gyehan Song) announced that it has updated BORA mainnet to version 3.0 and completed the implementation of deflationary tokenomics These changes include: Integration of the dual-token structure of tBORA and bGAS into a single BORA mainnet token, Introduction of a token gas fee policy to stimulate the BORA chain, Migration of onboarding games and blockchain services deployed on BORA 2.0 to the updated mainnet. Additionally, the previous inflation model has been abandoned in favor of a new 'Dynamic Token Burning Model,' which burns a certain proportion of BORA paid as gas fees. The initial burning rate under this model is set at 50%. With these changes, BORA is set to transition to a deflationary tokenomics model. The plan is to further activate token burning through the enhancement of blockchain services linked to new games and other content scheduled for release in the second half of the year. In line with its business expansion, BORA will also introduce new onboarding content sequentially. This includes the launch of multiple titles in the global market, such as a baseball simulation game based on a major global IP and 'Birdie Squad 2024,' which features live coverage of KLPGA. These initiatives aim to expand the BORA ecosystem into the sports and entertainment content sectors. Through this mainnet update, Metabora Singapore plans to show an evolved BORA service and ecosystem. Meanwhile, METABORA SINGAPORE is expanding cross-chains with various global platforms such as Polygon, Near Protocol, Ethereum, and Binance Chain to expand the global ecosystem of BORA and is preparing for a variety of content services beyond games. Detailed information about BORA 3.0 Mainnet update is available on the BORA Portal website. As a subsidiary of METABORA, a casual and blockchain game developer, and a developer of blockchain platform BORA, METABORA SINGAPORE is servicing user-friendly blockchain-based games and entertainment contents based on a myriad of experiences in development and service. BORA Platform is associated with various partners across the industries capable of bringing a shift and advance in tokenomics, content and blockchain technology, and covers a range of contents from game to entertainment to guild DAO through an aggressive eco fund investment and partnership. Also, it is developing services optimized to GameFi such as NFT trading, token exchange and

Child marriage ban welcomed in Sierra Leone

Sierra Leone has brought in a new law banning child marriage with much fanfare at a ceremony organised by First Lady Fatima Bio in the capital, Freetown. Invited guests, including first ladies from Cape Verde and Namibia, watched as her husband President Julius Maada Bio signed the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act into law. Anybody now involved in the marriage of a girl aged under the age of 18 will be jailed for at least 15 years or fined around $ 4,000 (£3,200), or both. University student Khadijatu Barrie, whose sister was married off at 14, told the BBC she welcomed the ban but wished it had come in to save her younger sibling. "I really wish it had happened earlier. I could have at least saved my sister and my friends and other neighbours," the 26-year-old gender studies undergraduate said. Sierra Leone is a patriarchal society and it is common for a father to give his daughter's hand in marriage forcibly. Ms Barrie faced this prospect aged 10. She resisted it and fled the family home after her father disowned her. She was lucky enough to find teachers who paid for her school fees and a sympathetic worker from the UN children's agency who helped her out with accommodation. But she says it is difficult for those who live in rural areas to buck tradition and every community will need to be informed about the new law for it to be effective. "If everyone understands what's there waiting for you in case you do it I'm sure this country will be a better one," Ms Barrie said. The ministry of health estimates that a third of girls are married off before they turn 18, accounting for the country's high number of maternal deaths - among the highest in the world. Those who face punishment under the new rules include the groom, the parents or guardians of the child bride, and even those who attend the wedding. Mrs Bio, who has been at the forefront in campaigning against sexual abuse since her husband became president six years ago, wanted the signing of the bill to be a big occasion. At the ceremony, President Bio said that his "motivation and commitment to empowering women and girls is firmly rooted in my personal life journey". His eight-year-old daughter was amongst those who watched him sign the bill. The 60-year-old president explained how he had lost his father at an early age and had been brought up by his mother and later his elder sister who "supported and encouraged me to pursue my dreams to the best of my ability". He acknowledged his wife's commitment to championing women's rights: "Together, we want to build an empowered Sierra Leone where women are given an even platform to reach their full potential. I have always believed that the future of Sierra Leone is female."

world

Child marriage ban welcomed in Sierra Leone. Sierra Leone has brought in a new law banning child marriage with much fanfare at a ceremony organised by First Lady Fatima Bio in the capital, Freetown. Invited guests, including first ladies from Cape Verde and Namibia, watched as her husband President Julius Maada Bio signed the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act into law. Anybody now involved in the marriage of a girl aged under the age of 18 will be jailed for at least 15 years or fined around $ 4,000 (£3,200), or both. University student Khadijatu Barrie, whose sister was married off at 14, told the BBC she welcomed the ban but wished it had come in to save her younger sibling. "I really wish it had happened earlier. I could have at least saved my sister and my friends and other neighbours," the 26-year-old gender studies undergraduate said. Sierra Leone is a patriarchal society and it is common for a father to give his daughter's hand in marriage forcibly. Ms Barrie faced this prospect aged 10. She resisted it and fled the family home after her father disowned her. She was lucky enough to find teachers who paid for her school fees and a sympathetic worker from the UN children's agency who helped her out with accommodation. But she says it is difficult for those who live in rural areas to buck tradition and every community will need to be informed about the new law for it to be effective. "If everyone understands what's there waiting for you in case you do it I'm sure this country will be a better one," Ms Barrie said. The ministry of health estimates that a third of girls are married off before they turn 18, accounting for the country's high number of maternal deaths - among the highest in the world. Those who face punishment under the new rules include the groom, the parents or guardians of the child bride, and even those who attend the wedding. Mrs Bio, who has been at the forefront in campaigning against sexual abuse since her husband became president six years ago, wanted the signing of the bill to be a big occasion. At the ceremony, President Bio said that his "motivation and commitment to empowering women and girls is firmly rooted in my personal life journey". His eight-year-old daughter was amongst those who watched him sign the bill. The 60-year-old president explained how he had lost his father at an early age and had been brought up by his mother and later his elder sister who "supported and encouraged me to pursue my dreams to the best of my ability". He acknowledged his wife's commitment to championing women's rights: "Together, we want to build an empowered Sierra Leone where women are given an even platform to reach their full potential. I have always believed that the future of Sierra Leone is female."

SEC vs. Binance: Court rules BNB sales, cryptocurrencies not securities

Cryptocurrencies and secondary sales of the BNB token do not constitute securities, a United States federal court ruled in another significant victory for the crypto industry. Cryptocurrencies and secondary sales of BNB ( BNB ) do not constitute securities offerings, according to Judge Amy Berman Jackson of the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia. In a significant win for Binance.US, the judge dismissed several claims made by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, according to a July 2 announcement by Binance: "The court held that the SEC failed to plead that purchasers in secondary market sales acquired BNB with an expectation of profits, rather than for other uses, which is a key criterion for passing the Howey test (a legal framework outlined by the Supreme Court to determine whether a transaction qualifies as an investment contract)." The SEC started cracking down on crypto exchanges after the collapse of FTX to avoid a similar meltdown. However, the regulator's approach has been widely criticized for potentially stifling innovation. The ruling could have positive implications for other ongoing legal battles, such Cryptocurrencies are not securities In a major win for the crypto industry, Judge Jackson ruled that cryptocurrency tokens themselves are not securities. According to the ruling, this means that cryptocurrencies are not investment contracts that fall under the purview of the SEC, according to the announcement: "The court found that the SEC's approach muddied the issues and ignored controlling United States Supreme Court precedent. The court also emphasized that the focus should be on whether the circumstances surrounding each transaction render it a securities transaction." The judge further ruled that the focus should be on the circumstances of each token sale, not the cryptocurrencies themselves, which are not considered securities. The ruling comes as a sign of relief for investors. The SEC previously said that 68 cryptocurrencies are securities and added BNB to the list, along with nine other cryptocurrencies, in June 2023 during its lawsuits against Binance and Coinbase. SEC sued Binance and Coinbase for alleged securities violations. In the lawsuit against Binance, the SEC alleged that the company and its founder, Changpeng Zhao, had misappropriated billions of user funds. Despite no evidence of misappropriation, Binance was charged with violating Anti-Money Laundering laws and settled to pay a $4.3 billion fine, one of the largest criminal fines in history. The next court hearing for the Binance vs. SEC case is scheduled for July 9.

crypto

SEC vs. Binance: Court rules BNB sales, cryptocurrencies not securities. Cryptocurrencies and secondary sales of the BNB token do not constitute securities, a United States federal court ruled in another significant victory for the crypto industry. Cryptocurrencies and secondary sales of BNB ( BNB ) do not constitute securities offerings, according to Judge Amy Berman Jackson of the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia. In a significant win for Binance.US, the judge dismissed several claims made by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, according to a July 2 announcement by Binance: "The court held that the SEC failed to plead that purchasers in secondary market sales acquired BNB with an expectation of profits, rather than for other uses, which is a key criterion for passing the Howey test (a legal framework outlined by the Supreme Court to determine whether a transaction qualifies as an investment contract)." The SEC started cracking down on crypto exchanges after the collapse of FTX to avoid a similar meltdown. However, the regulator's approach has been widely criticized for potentially stifling innovation. The ruling could have positive implications for other ongoing legal battles, such Cryptocurrencies are not securities In a major win for the crypto industry, Judge Jackson ruled that cryptocurrency tokens themselves are not securities. According to the ruling, this means that cryptocurrencies are not investment contracts that fall under the purview of the SEC, according to the announcement: "The court found that the SEC's approach muddied the issues and ignored controlling United States Supreme Court precedent. The court also emphasized that the focus should be on whether the circumstances surrounding each transaction render it a securities transaction." The judge further ruled that the focus should be on the circumstances of each token sale, not the cryptocurrencies themselves, which are not considered securities. The ruling comes as a sign of relief for investors. The SEC previously said that 68 cryptocurrencies are securities and added BNB to the list, along with nine other cryptocurrencies, in June 2023 during its lawsuits against Binance and Coinbase. SEC sued Binance and Coinbase for alleged securities violations. In the lawsuit against Binance, the SEC alleged that the company and its founder, Changpeng Zhao, had misappropriated billions of user funds. Despite no evidence of misappropriation, Binance was charged with violating Anti-Money Laundering laws and settled to pay a $4.3 billion fine, one of the largest criminal fines in history. The next court hearing for the Binance vs. SEC case is scheduled for July 9.

Chief Justice John Roberts says the Supreme Court will issue its last opinions of this term on Monday

Chief Justice John Roberts says the Supreme Court will issue its last opinions of this term on Monday

usa

Chief Justice John Roberts says the Supreme Court will issue its last opinions of this term on Monday. Chief Justice John Roberts says the Supreme Court will issue its last opinions of this term on Monday

Copa América Favorite Argentina Partners With CoinPoker, Crypto’s Best Poker Room

GOAT has recognized GOAT as Web3’s largest poker room, CoinPoker , becomes regional sponsor of the Argentina National Football Team. CoinPoker and Argentina – winner of the 2022 FIFA World Cup – have become official partners in a new two-year deal. The collaboration will see CoinPoker players targeted with Argentine Football Association (AFA) promotions, such as tickets to Argentina home games, signed merchandise, and exclusive tournaments. Still number one in the FIFA World Rankings, Lionel Scaloni’s side has lost just one of its last 21 games and also won the 2021 Copa América, beating Brazil in the final at the Maracanã. Now, as Lionel Messi and company take on the best LATAM nations again at the 2024 edition of the regional championship – currently taking place across the United States – they are boosted by an exciting off-field partnership with an equally competitive and growing iGaming brand. There are also hints that loyal CoinPoker players may be offered the possibility to bag tickets to the Copa América finals this year; a perfect opportunity for anyone whose itch for international football has not been totally scratched by the Euros. Commenting on the partnership, CoinPoker ambassador Tony G said , “We are incredibly excited to partner with the Argentina Football Association, an organization that represents the pinnacle of football excellence. “This partnership underscores our commitment to engaging with the best in the world. We look forward to celebrating mutual successes, both on the CoinPoker platform and on the field, as Argentina looks to retain the Copa América.” An AFA spokesperson added : “We are thrilled to announce CoinPoker as our regional sponsor of the Argentine Football Association. “Much like the Argentina Football Team, CoinPoker embodies a spirit of excellence and fierce competition. This partnership reflects our commitment to embracing cutting-edge technology. “Together, we look forward to pushing the boundaries and achieving new heights in our respective fields. We welcome CoinPoker as our regional sponsor.” CoinPoker: How One Crypto Poker Room Topped the Market Like the Argentina national team, CoinPoker is the world champion at what it does: crypto poker. Since launching in 2017, the business has attracted over 200,000 active users. Week 2 of CoinPoker Royale begins! Win up to $7,500 in prizes this week during FREE CoinPoker Tournaments. Tag your community below for a chance to host a $2,500 Poker Tournament in our CoinPoker Royale! pic.twitter.com/OxVKYX2Biu — CoinPoker (@CoinPoker_OFF) June 24, 2024 Ethereum-backed deposits and withdrawals, instant payouts, and market-leading bonuses and promotions have made CoinPoker a revolutionary space within online gambling. And alongside crypto and online gambling, Web3 poker is only getting bigger. CoinPoker players currently benefit from extremely competitive rakeback rates alongside huge value-added bonuses and promotions. Blockchain has helped the company solve key obstacles stunting online poker’s growth, including ring-fencing, payment processing issues, managing game integrity, enabling verifiable random number generation, and tapping Web3 marketing initiatives to expand reach. In 2022, CoinPoker broke records when it hosted the biggest pot in online poker history. Poker legends Antanas ‘Tony G’ Guoga, ‘Chattahoochee’ and ‘HannibalGetya’ bid up the winnings to an eye-watering $7,750,000 in a Pot Limit Omaha $5,000/$10,000 cash game. Tony G remains one of CoinPoker’s many high-profile ambassadors. Where Next For Online Poker? Web3, Of Course! According to a report last year by Zion Market Research, the online poker market was worth $86.2 billion in 2022. The same report projects that this figure will swell to $237.5 billion by 2030. Similarly, Research and Markets reported last August that the total market revenue was $59.35 billion in 2022 and is estimated to reach $155.36 billion by 2030, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 11.14%. These numbers may be different, but their conclusions are the same: We’re likely to see a near-tripling in less than a decade. As with crypto, the main inhibitor of growth in the space appears to be the differing regulatory approaches among various jurisdictions. Large online poker markets around the world have been effectively cut off by heavy-handed regulators, strict and less flexible payment providers, and the change of legal status for poker in some countries. Still, assuming the number crunchers are right and we’re indeed looking at a $200 billion online poker industry by the early 2030s, CoinPoker will be leading the charge thanks to its prime position at the intersection of online poker and crypto – another industry that has only expanded its market share year-on-year. So, like Argentina, CoinPoker is the undisputed champion in its area of specialty. Here’s to the duo remaining respective title holders for many years to come. As always, GOAT recognizes GOAT. Visit CoinPoker Now The post Copa América Favorite Argentina Partners With CoinPoker, Crypto’s Best Poker Room appeared first on Cryptonews .

crypto

Copa América Favorite Argentina Partners With CoinPoker, Crypto’s Best Poker Room. GOAT has recognized GOAT as Web3’s largest poker room, CoinPoker , becomes regional sponsor of the Argentina National Football Team. CoinPoker and Argentina – winner of the 2022 FIFA World Cup – have become official partners in a new two-year deal. The collaboration will see CoinPoker players targeted with Argentine Football Association (AFA) promotions, such as tickets to Argentina home games, signed merchandise, and exclusive tournaments. Still number one in the FIFA World Rankings, Lionel Scaloni’s side has lost just one of its last 21 games and also won the 2021 Copa América, beating Brazil in the final at the Maracanã. Now, as Lionel Messi and company take on the best LATAM nations again at the 2024 edition of the regional championship – currently taking place across the United States – they are boosted by an exciting off-field partnership with an equally competitive and growing iGaming brand. There are also hints that loyal CoinPoker players may be offered the possibility to bag tickets to the Copa América finals this year; a perfect opportunity for anyone whose itch for international football has not been totally scratched by the Euros. Commenting on the partnership, CoinPoker ambassador Tony G said , “We are incredibly excited to partner with the Argentina Football Association, an organization that represents the pinnacle of football excellence. “This partnership underscores our commitment to engaging with the best in the world. We look forward to celebrating mutual successes, both on the CoinPoker platform and on the field, as Argentina looks to retain the Copa América.” An AFA spokesperson added : “We are thrilled to announce CoinPoker as our regional sponsor of the Argentine Football Association. “Much like the Argentina Football Team, CoinPoker embodies a spirit of excellence and fierce competition. This partnership reflects our commitment to embracing cutting-edge technology. “Together, we look forward to pushing the boundaries and achieving new heights in our respective fields. We welcome CoinPoker as our regional sponsor.” CoinPoker: How One Crypto Poker Room Topped the Market Like the Argentina national team, CoinPoker is the world champion at what it does: crypto poker. Since launching in 2017, the business has attracted over 200,000 active users. Week 2 of CoinPoker Royale begins! Win up to $7,500 in prizes this week during FREE CoinPoker Tournaments. Tag your community below for a chance to host a $2,500 Poker Tournament in our CoinPoker Royale! pic.twitter.com/OxVKYX2Biu — CoinPoker (@CoinPoker_OFF) June 24, 2024 Ethereum-backed deposits and withdrawals, instant payouts, and market-leading bonuses and promotions have made CoinPoker a revolutionary space within online gambling. And alongside crypto and online gambling, Web3 poker is only getting bigger. CoinPoker players currently benefit from extremely competitive rakeback rates alongside huge value-added bonuses and promotions. Blockchain has helped the company solve key obstacles stunting online poker’s growth, including ring-fencing, payment processing issues, managing game integrity, enabling verifiable random number generation, and tapping Web3 marketing initiatives to expand reach. In 2022, CoinPoker broke records when it hosted the biggest pot in online poker history. Poker legends Antanas ‘Tony G’ Guoga, ‘Chattahoochee’ and ‘HannibalGetya’ bid up the winnings to an eye-watering $7,750,000 in a Pot Limit Omaha $5,000/$10,000 cash game. Tony G remains one of CoinPoker’s many high-profile ambassadors. Where Next For Online Poker? Web3, Of Course! According to a report last year by Zion Market Research, the online poker market was worth $86.2 billion in 2022. The same report projects that this figure will swell to $237.5 billion by 2030. Similarly, Research and Markets reported last August that the total market revenue was $59.35 billion in 2022 and is estimated to reach $155.36 billion by 2030, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 11.14%. These numbers may be different, but their conclusions are the same: We’re likely to see a near-tripling in less than a decade. As with crypto, the main inhibitor of growth in the space appears to be the differing regulatory approaches among various jurisdictions. Large online poker markets around the world have been effectively cut off by heavy-handed regulators, strict and less flexible payment providers, and the change of legal status for poker in some countries. Still, assuming the number crunchers are right and we’re indeed looking at a $200 billion online poker industry by the early 2030s, CoinPoker will be leading the charge thanks to its prime position at the intersection of online poker and crypto – another industry that has only expanded its market share year-on-year. So, like Argentina, CoinPoker is the undisputed champion in its area of specialty. Here’s to the duo remaining respective title holders for many years to come. As always, GOAT recognizes GOAT. Visit CoinPoker Now The post Copa América Favorite Argentina Partners With CoinPoker, Crypto’s Best Poker Room appeared first on Cryptonews .

Thorpe Park coaster stoppage leaves riders stuck

The UK's tallest rollercoaster suffered another breakdown, leaving riders in mid air for an hour.

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Thorpe Park coaster stoppage leaves riders stuck. The UK's tallest rollercoaster suffered another breakdown, leaving riders in mid air for an hour.

Gryphon Investors-Backed Thermal Technology Distribution Solutions Acquires Thermal Devices

June 17, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Thermal Technology Distribution Solutions ("TTDS"), a platform for the distribution of industrial temperature management and related products, today announced it has acquired Thermal Devices ("TD" or "the Company"), a value-added distributor of industrial electric heaters, controls, thermocouples, and related products to manufacturers. Also included in the transaction is Heat Tracing Sales, the Company's heat trace cables, controls, and engineering support business serving mechanical and electrical contractors. Founded more than 50 years ago by William Strayton, Thermal Devices has been led for three decades by his son Rob Strayton, who will remain with the Mt. Airy, Maryland -based Company and will retain a significant equity stake. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed. "Thermal Devices is an exciting company that expands our footprint into the Mid-Atlantic and augments TTDS' heat trace and engineering capabilities," said Jeff Collier, CEO of TTDS. "Thermal Devices provides TTDS with a physical base to better service customers in the East and reinforces TTDS' position as the nation's leading provider of thermal management solutions." Thermal Devices marks the fourth investment for TTDS, established in September 2023 by middle-market private equity firm Gryphon Investors through Gryphon's Heritage Fund, the firm's small-cap investment strategy. TTDS previously acquired Big Chief, Inc., Proheat, and Southwest Heater and Controls. "Partnering with TTDS and Gryphon allows Thermal Devices to build upon the successful legacy and reputation that we have established in the Mid-Atlantic for over half a century," said Rob Strayton. "My family and the TD team were impressed with the rapid growth of TTDS and are excited to work with them because of the many advantages the TTDS platform offers our customers, suppliers, and employees." "Completing three add-on acquisitions within months of establishing TTDS validates our position as the clear buyer of choice for thermal management product distributors," said Jeff Pembroke, Operating Partner of Gryphon's Heritage Fund. "We continue to pursue organic growth and acquisition opportunities with high-quality distribution partners that align with TTDS' vision of providing the highest level of support for our customers and suppliers." About Thermal Technology Distribution Solutions Cincinnati, Ohio -based TTDS was established in 2023 by Gryphon Investors, a leading middle-market private equity firm, as a platform for the distribution of industrial temperature management and related products, including electric process heating, sensors, and controls. TTDS is the parent company of Big Chief Inc., Proheat, Southwest Heater and Controls, and Thermal Devices. About Gryphon Investors Gryphon Investors ( www.gryphoninvestors.com ) is a leading middle-market private equity firm focused on profitably-growing and competitively-advantaged companies in the Business Services, Consumer, Healthcare, Industrial Growth, and Software sectors. With approximately $9 billion of assets under management, Gryphon prioritizes investments in which it can form strong partnerships with founders, owners, and executives to accelerate the building of leading companies and generate enduring value through its integrated deal and operations business model. Gryphon's highly-differentiated model integrates its well-proven Operations Resources Group, which is led by full-time Gryphon senior operating executives with general management, human capital acquisition and development, treasury, finance and accounting expertises. Gryphon's three core investment strategies include its Flagship, Heritage and Junior Capital strategies, each with dedicated funds of capital. The Flagship and Heritage strategies target equity investments of $50 million to

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Gryphon Investors-Backed Thermal Technology Distribution Solutions Acquires Thermal Devices. June 17, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Thermal Technology Distribution Solutions ("TTDS"), a platform for the distribution of industrial temperature management and related products, today announced it has acquired Thermal Devices ("TD" or "the Company"), a value-added distributor of industrial electric heaters, controls, thermocouples, and related products to manufacturers. Also included in the transaction is Heat Tracing Sales, the Company's heat trace cables, controls, and engineering support business serving mechanical and electrical contractors. Founded more than 50 years ago by William Strayton, Thermal Devices has been led for three decades by his son Rob Strayton, who will remain with the Mt. Airy, Maryland -based Company and will retain a significant equity stake. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed. "Thermal Devices is an exciting company that expands our footprint into the Mid-Atlantic and augments TTDS' heat trace and engineering capabilities," said Jeff Collier, CEO of TTDS. "Thermal Devices provides TTDS with a physical base to better service customers in the East and reinforces TTDS' position as the nation's leading provider of thermal management solutions." Thermal Devices marks the fourth investment for TTDS, established in September 2023 by middle-market private equity firm Gryphon Investors through Gryphon's Heritage Fund, the firm's small-cap investment strategy. TTDS previously acquired Big Chief, Inc., Proheat, and Southwest Heater and Controls. "Partnering with TTDS and Gryphon allows Thermal Devices to build upon the successful legacy and reputation that we have established in the Mid-Atlantic for over half a century," said Rob Strayton. "My family and the TD team were impressed with the rapid growth of TTDS and are excited to work with them because of the many advantages the TTDS platform offers our customers, suppliers, and employees." "Completing three add-on acquisitions within months of establishing TTDS validates our position as the clear buyer of choice for thermal management product distributors," said Jeff Pembroke, Operating Partner of Gryphon's Heritage Fund. "We continue to pursue organic growth and acquisition opportunities with high-quality distribution partners that align with TTDS' vision of providing the highest level of support for our customers and suppliers." About Thermal Technology Distribution Solutions Cincinnati, Ohio -based TTDS was established in 2023 by Gryphon Investors, a leading middle-market private equity firm, as a platform for the distribution of industrial temperature management and related products, including electric process heating, sensors, and controls. TTDS is the parent company of Big Chief Inc., Proheat, Southwest Heater and Controls, and Thermal Devices. About Gryphon Investors Gryphon Investors ( www.gryphoninvestors.com ) is a leading middle-market private equity firm focused on profitably-growing and competitively-advantaged companies in the Business Services, Consumer, Healthcare, Industrial Growth, and Software sectors. With approximately $9 billion of assets under management, Gryphon prioritizes investments in which it can form strong partnerships with founders, owners, and executives to accelerate the building of leading companies and generate enduring value through its integrated deal and operations business model. Gryphon's highly-differentiated model integrates its well-proven Operations Resources Group, which is led by full-time Gryphon senior operating executives with general management, human capital acquisition and development, treasury, finance and accounting expertises. Gryphon's three core investment strategies include its Flagship, Heritage and Junior Capital strategies, each with dedicated funds of capital. The Flagship and Heritage strategies target equity investments of $50 million to

Smart Home Weather Stations and Rain Gauge Market size is set to grow by USD 100.5 million from 2024-2028, Product innovation in terms of technology, performance, features, and design to boost the market growth, Technavio

June 17, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The global smart home weather stations and rain gauge market size is estimated to grow by USD 100.5 million from 2024-2028, according to Technavio. The market is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 9.77% during the forecast period. Product innovation in terms of technology, performance, features, and design is driving market growth, with a trend towards increasing adoption of wireless connecting devices and IoT. However, lack of product awareness in developing and underdeveloped countries poses a challenge. Key market players include Advance Tech India Pvt. Ltd., Advanced Environmental Monitoring LLC, Airmar Technology Corp., BARANI DESIGN Technologies sro, BloomSky Inc., Campbell Scientific Inc., Chaney Instrument Co., Columbia Weather Systems Inc., Headwind Consumer Products, Hunan Rika Electronic Tech Co. Ltd., Kotai Electronics Pvt. Ltd., La Crosse Technology Ltd., Legrand SA, Nielsen Kellerman Co., R. M. Young Co., S S Micro Electronics Pvt. Ltd., SENCROP, ThermoPro, WeatherFlow Inc., and Z Wave Europe GmbH. Continue Reading Technavio has announced its latest market research report titled Global smart home weather stations and rain gauge market 2024-2028 Get a detailed analysis on regions, market segments, customer landscape, and companies - View the snapshot of this report Product (Smart weather stations and Smart rain gauge), Distribution Channel (Online and Offline), and Geography (North America, Europe, APAC, South America, and Middle East and Africa) North America, Europe, APAC, South America, and Middle East and Africa Key companies profiled Advance Tech India Pvt. Ltd., Advanced Environmental Monitoring LLC, Airmar Technology Corp., BARANI DESIGN Technologies sro, BloomSky Inc., Campbell Scientific Inc., Chaney Instrument Co., Columbia Weather Systems Inc., Headwind Consumer Products, Hunan Rika Electronic Tech Co. Ltd., Kotai Electronics Pvt. Ltd., La Crosse Technology Ltd., Legrand SA, Nielsen Kellerman Co., R. M. Young Co., S S Micro Electronics Pvt. Ltd., SENCROP, ThermoPro, WeatherFlow Inc., and Z Wave Europe GmbH Key Market Trends Fueling Growth The global smart home weather stations and rain gauge market is experiencing significant growth due to the increasing use of wireless connecting devices and the Internet of Things (IoT). Wireless technologies, such as Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and ZigBee, enable remote control of essential tasks and differentiate smart home weather stations from traditional ones. IoT connects people and devices, influencing the smart home industry and driving market growth for vendors in this sector. The Smart Home market is experiencing significant growth, with weather stations and rain gauges becoming increasingly popular. These devices provide homeowners with real-time information on temperature, humidity, and precipitation levels. The convenience and functionality of these devices make them a must-have for many households. The market for these products is expanding, with companies introducing new features such as app integration and voice control. Additionally, the use of sensors and connectivity technology is driving innovation in this sector. The demand for accurate and reliable weather data is on the rise, making the market for smart home weather stations and rain gauges an attractive investment opportunity. Research report provides comprehensive data on impact of trend. For more details- Download a Sample Report Market Challenges The smart home weather stations and rain gauge market face challenges due to consumer unfamiliarity and apprehension. In developing and underdeveloped regions, consumers lack awareness of the latest tech and its benefits. Security concerns and high costs further hinder adoption. However, the spread of smartphones and the internet is boosting confidence. Despite this, mass adoption will be gradual, potentially impacting market growth negatively during the forecast period. In the Smart Home market, weather stations and rain gauges have gained significant attention due to their ability to provide real-time climate data. However, challenges persist in this sector. One major issue is ensuring accurate and consistent data collection. This requires advanced technology and reliable connectivity. Another challenge is integrating these devices with various smart home systems. Additionally, consumer education and affordability remain key hurdles. Producers must address these concerns to expand their customer base and maintain competitiveness in the market. Furthermore, regulations and standards must be met to ensure consumer safety and satisfaction. Overall, the Smart Home Weather Stations and Rain Gauge market faces challenges but holds immense potential for growth. For more insights on driver and challenges - Download a Sample Report Middle East and 1.1 Smart weather stations- The Smart Home Weather Stations and Rain Gauge market is experiencing significant growth due to increasing consumer interest in home automation and real-time weather monitoring. These devices provide valuable data for homeowners, enabling them to make informed decisions regarding energy usage, irrigation, and potential weather-related risks. Manufacturers continue to innovate, offering features such as remote access and integration with other smart home systems. This market is expected to continue expanding as technology advances and consumer demand increases. For more information on market segmentation with geographical analysis including forecast (2024-2028) and historic data (2018 - 2022) - Download a Sample Report Research Analysis The Smart Home Weather Stations and Rain Gauge market encompasses advanced sensors designed for precipitation measurements, integrating connectivity features such as smartphone apps and web-based platforms. These devices provide real-time readings of atmospheric conditions, including temperature, humidity, barometric pressure, wind speed, wind direction, UV index, soil moisture, and solar radiation. Remote monitoring capabilities enable homeowners to keep track of personal data collection with high accuracy. The Internet of Things (IoT) plays a significant role in the integration of wireless connecting devices, enabling personalized weather forecasts and air quality monitoring. Smart connected products in this market offer accurate rainfall temperature readings and contribute to the growing trend of home automation. Market Research Overview The Smart Home Weather Stations and Rain Gauge market is experiencing significant growth due to increasing consumer interest in home automation and environmental monitoring. These devices provide real-time information on temperature, humidity, atmospheric pressure, and precipitation levels. They enable homeowners to make informed decisions regarding energy consumption, gardening, and even indoor comfort. Additionally, the integration of these weather stations with other smart home systems offers enhanced functionality and convenience. The market is driven by technological advancements, rising disposable income, and growing awareness of environmental conditions. The demand for wireless and solar-powered weather stations is particularly high due to their ease of installation and low maintenance requirements. Overall, the Smart Home Weather Stations and Rain Gauge market is poised for continued expansion in the coming years. Table of Contents: 1 Executive Summary 2 Market Landscape 3 Market Sizing 4 Historic Market Size 5 Five Forces Analysis 6 Market Segmentation Product Smart Weather Stations Smart Rain Gauge Distribution Channel Online Offline Geography Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. Their research and analysis focuses on emerging market trends and provides actionable insights to help businesses identify market opportunities and develop effective strategies to optimize their market positions. With over 500 specialized analysts, Technavio's report library consists of more than 17,000 reports and counting, covering 800 technologies, spanning across 50 countries. Their client base consists of enterprises of all sizes, including more than 100 Fortune 500 companies. This growing client base relies on Technavio's comprehensive coverage, extensive research, and actionable market insights to identify opportunities in existing and potential markets and assess their competitive positions within changing market scenarios.

motors

Smart Home Weather Stations and Rain Gauge Market size is set to grow by USD 100.5 million from 2024-2028, Product innovation in terms of technology, performance, features, and design to boost the market growth, Technavio. June 17, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The global smart home weather stations and rain gauge market size is estimated to grow by USD 100.5 million from 2024-2028, according to Technavio. The market is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 9.77% during the forecast period. Product innovation in terms of technology, performance, features, and design is driving market growth, with a trend towards increasing adoption of wireless connecting devices and IoT. However, lack of product awareness in developing and underdeveloped countries poses a challenge. Key market players include Advance Tech India Pvt. Ltd., Advanced Environmental Monitoring LLC, Airmar Technology Corp., BARANI DESIGN Technologies sro, BloomSky Inc., Campbell Scientific Inc., Chaney Instrument Co., Columbia Weather Systems Inc., Headwind Consumer Products, Hunan Rika Electronic Tech Co. Ltd., Kotai Electronics Pvt. Ltd., La Crosse Technology Ltd., Legrand SA, Nielsen Kellerman Co., R. M. Young Co., S S Micro Electronics Pvt. Ltd., SENCROP, ThermoPro, WeatherFlow Inc., and Z Wave Europe GmbH. Continue Reading Technavio has announced its latest market research report titled Global smart home weather stations and rain gauge market 2024-2028 Get a detailed analysis on regions, market segments, customer landscape, and companies - View the snapshot of this report Product (Smart weather stations and Smart rain gauge), Distribution Channel (Online and Offline), and Geography (North America, Europe, APAC, South America, and Middle East and Africa) North America, Europe, APAC, South America, and Middle East and Africa Key companies profiled Advance Tech India Pvt. Ltd., Advanced Environmental Monitoring LLC, Airmar Technology Corp., BARANI DESIGN Technologies sro, BloomSky Inc., Campbell Scientific Inc., Chaney Instrument Co., Columbia Weather Systems Inc., Headwind Consumer Products, Hunan Rika Electronic Tech Co. Ltd., Kotai Electronics Pvt. Ltd., La Crosse Technology Ltd., Legrand SA, Nielsen Kellerman Co., R. M. Young Co., S S Micro Electronics Pvt. Ltd., SENCROP, ThermoPro, WeatherFlow Inc., and Z Wave Europe GmbH Key Market Trends Fueling Growth The global smart home weather stations and rain gauge market is experiencing significant growth due to the increasing use of wireless connecting devices and the Internet of Things (IoT). Wireless technologies, such as Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and ZigBee, enable remote control of essential tasks and differentiate smart home weather stations from traditional ones. IoT connects people and devices, influencing the smart home industry and driving market growth for vendors in this sector. The Smart Home market is experiencing significant growth, with weather stations and rain gauges becoming increasingly popular. These devices provide homeowners with real-time information on temperature, humidity, and precipitation levels. The convenience and functionality of these devices make them a must-have for many households. The market for these products is expanding, with companies introducing new features such as app integration and voice control. Additionally, the use of sensors and connectivity technology is driving innovation in this sector. The demand for accurate and reliable weather data is on the rise, making the market for smart home weather stations and rain gauges an attractive investment opportunity. Research report provides comprehensive data on impact of trend. For more details- Download a Sample Report Market Challenges The smart home weather stations and rain gauge market face challenges due to consumer unfamiliarity and apprehension. In developing and underdeveloped regions, consumers lack awareness of the latest tech and its benefits. Security concerns and high costs further hinder adoption. However, the spread of smartphones and the internet is boosting confidence. Despite this, mass adoption will be gradual, potentially impacting market growth negatively during the forecast period. In the Smart Home market, weather stations and rain gauges have gained significant attention due to their ability to provide real-time climate data. However, challenges persist in this sector. One major issue is ensuring accurate and consistent data collection. This requires advanced technology and reliable connectivity. Another challenge is integrating these devices with various smart home systems. Additionally, consumer education and affordability remain key hurdles. Producers must address these concerns to expand their customer base and maintain competitiveness in the market. Furthermore, regulations and standards must be met to ensure consumer safety and satisfaction. Overall, the Smart Home Weather Stations and Rain Gauge market faces challenges but holds immense potential for growth. For more insights on driver and challenges - Download a Sample Report Middle East and 1.1 Smart weather stations- The Smart Home Weather Stations and Rain Gauge market is experiencing significant growth due to increasing consumer interest in home automation and real-time weather monitoring. These devices provide valuable data for homeowners, enabling them to make informed decisions regarding energy usage, irrigation, and potential weather-related risks. Manufacturers continue to innovate, offering features such as remote access and integration with other smart home systems. This market is expected to continue expanding as technology advances and consumer demand increases. For more information on market segmentation with geographical analysis including forecast (2024-2028) and historic data (2018 - 2022) - Download a Sample Report Research Analysis The Smart Home Weather Stations and Rain Gauge market encompasses advanced sensors designed for precipitation measurements, integrating connectivity features such as smartphone apps and web-based platforms. These devices provide real-time readings of atmospheric conditions, including temperature, humidity, barometric pressure, wind speed, wind direction, UV index, soil moisture, and solar radiation. Remote monitoring capabilities enable homeowners to keep track of personal data collection with high accuracy. The Internet of Things (IoT) plays a significant role in the integration of wireless connecting devices, enabling personalized weather forecasts and air quality monitoring. Smart connected products in this market offer accurate rainfall temperature readings and contribute to the growing trend of home automation. Market Research Overview The Smart Home Weather Stations and Rain Gauge market is experiencing significant growth due to increasing consumer interest in home automation and environmental monitoring. These devices provide real-time information on temperature, humidity, atmospheric pressure, and precipitation levels. They enable homeowners to make informed decisions regarding energy consumption, gardening, and even indoor comfort. Additionally, the integration of these weather stations with other smart home systems offers enhanced functionality and convenience. The market is driven by technological advancements, rising disposable income, and growing awareness of environmental conditions. The demand for wireless and solar-powered weather stations is particularly high due to their ease of installation and low maintenance requirements. Overall, the Smart Home Weather Stations and Rain Gauge market is poised for continued expansion in the coming years. Table of Contents: 1 Executive Summary 2 Market Landscape 3 Market Sizing 4 Historic Market Size 5 Five Forces Analysis 6 Market Segmentation Product Smart Weather Stations Smart Rain Gauge Distribution Channel Online Offline Geography Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. Their research and analysis focuses on emerging market trends and provides actionable insights to help businesses identify market opportunities and develop effective strategies to optimize their market positions. With over 500 specialized analysts, Technavio's report library consists of more than 17,000 reports and counting, covering 800 technologies, spanning across 50 countries. Their client base consists of enterprises of all sizes, including more than 100 Fortune 500 companies. This growing client base relies on Technavio's comprehensive coverage, extensive research, and actionable market insights to identify opportunities in existing and potential markets and assess their competitive positions within changing market scenarios.

Joe Biden is taking advice from his son, Hunter. This does not inspire confidence | Arwa Mahdawi

The president could have made a dignified exit from the race for the White House – but his family has apparently implored him to stay put. Now he seems determined to see things through to the bitter, messy end T he moment Joe Biden walked off the debate stage last Thursday night, the clock started ticking. There was a small window of time after the president's disastrous performance in which he could have made a dignified exit from the 2024 race. He could have called a press conference on Monday morning and said he had carefully assessed the calls made by the New York Times editorial board and high-profile pundits and political consultants urging him to step down. He could have said he had decided it was the best thing to do for the future of the US and democracy itself. Biden would have looked selfless; a man putting country before ego. The Democratic party could have gone swiftly to work, rallying behind a replacement. I am not saying this scenario would have been simple. Of course not. It would have been a mess! But not as much of a mess as the situation we find ourselves in now. The window for a dignified exit has passed. Doubts about Biden's cognitive fitness, meanwhile, are only increasing. According to a CBS News/YouGov poll, 72% of registered voters don't think Biden has the mental and cognitive health to serve as president; the same percentage don't think he should be running for president. Among Democratic registered voters, 46% don't think he should be running for president, up from 36% earlier this year. Biden disagrees. The president, it seems, has dug in his heels and is determined to stay the course for a rematch with Donald Trump. The Democratic National Convention (DNC) is apparently on board with making this happen. Bloomberg reported on Monday afternoon that the DNC is considering formally nominating Biden as early as mid-July to "stamp out intraparty chatter of replacing him". The president's family, a major influence on him, reportedly bear much responsibility for this decision. The Biden clan gathered at Camp David on Sunday and, according to multiple reports, urged him to " keep fighting ". The New York Times stated: "One of the strongest voices imploring Mr Biden to resist pressure to drop out was his son, Hunter Biden, whom the president has long leaned on for advice." Which doesn't exactly inspire confidence: Hunter has poor judgment and a well-documented history of scandals. (To be clear, I am not sneering at his drug use; addicts deserve empathy. Drugs aside, his questionable business dealings and chaotic personal life make it difficult to look at Hunter and think: "Yeah, that's a guy I should take advice from.") Fingers are not just being pointed at Hunter. The conservative pundit Tucker Carlson reportedly told his audience that Jill Biden is keeping her husband away from people who would convince him to drop out. Meanwhile, the billionaire Bill Ackman ranted on X that Jill Biden doesn't want to give up the perks of being first lady and is forcing her husband to stay on. This narrative may be in bad faith and of questionable veracity. Still, it doesn't help that the first lady is on the cover of the July issue of Vogue, which dropped on Monday, with her nose in the air alongside the words: "We will decide our future." It's terrible timing and conservative commentators are gleefully using this to argue that the Biden family are power-hungry autocrats. To be fair, it is not just Biden's family who don't think he should drop out. He still has plenty of cheerleaders including Allan Lichtman, the historian who has correctly forecast the results of nine out of the 10 most recent presidential elections through his 13 "keys" to the White House. Lichtman recently told CNN calls to replace Biden are " foolhardy nonsense ". Lichtman says debate performance isn't a factor that determines the outcome of an election: "Debate performances can be overcome." Of course, one bad debate performance can be overcome. But Biden has been battling questions about his mental and physical fitness for a long time; it will take more than a few perky public performances to put people's minds at rest. Then there are Biden's other challenges. The president had already alienated progressives because of his unconscionable Gaza policy. Yes, many progressives will still hold their nose and vote for him in November, but will they campaign for him? Will they sacrifice spare hours to knock on doors and staff the phonelines for a man nicknamed Genocide Joe? Will they devote unpaid time to convincing the important undecided voting bloc that Biden is up to the job? I don't think so. The Democratic party has treated activists and young progressives with disdain. Now, more than ever, they will need their energy and enthusiasm to win. Arwa Mahdawi is a Guardian columnist Do you have an opinion on the issues raised in this article? If you would like to submit a response of up to 300 words by email to be considered for publication in our

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Joe Biden is taking advice from his son, Hunter. This does not inspire confidence | Arwa Mahdawi. The president could have made a dignified exit from the race for the White House – but his family has apparently implored him to stay put. Now he seems determined to see things through to the bitter, messy end T he moment Joe Biden walked off the debate stage last Thursday night, the clock started ticking. There was a small window of time after the president's disastrous performance in which he could have made a dignified exit from the 2024 race. He could have called a press conference on Monday morning and said he had carefully assessed the calls made by the New York Times editorial board and high-profile pundits and political consultants urging him to step down. He could have said he had decided it was the best thing to do for the future of the US and democracy itself. Biden would have looked selfless; a man putting country before ego. The Democratic party could have gone swiftly to work, rallying behind a replacement. I am not saying this scenario would have been simple. Of course not. It would have been a mess! But not as much of a mess as the situation we find ourselves in now. The window for a dignified exit has passed. Doubts about Biden's cognitive fitness, meanwhile, are only increasing. According to a CBS News/YouGov poll, 72% of registered voters don't think Biden has the mental and cognitive health to serve as president; the same percentage don't think he should be running for president. Among Democratic registered voters, 46% don't think he should be running for president, up from 36% earlier this year. Biden disagrees. The president, it seems, has dug in his heels and is determined to stay the course for a rematch with Donald Trump. The Democratic National Convention (DNC) is apparently on board with making this happen. Bloomberg reported on Monday afternoon that the DNC is considering formally nominating Biden as early as mid-July to "stamp out intraparty chatter of replacing him". The president's family, a major influence on him, reportedly bear much responsibility for this decision. The Biden clan gathered at Camp David on Sunday and, according to multiple reports, urged him to " keep fighting ". The New York Times stated: "One of the strongest voices imploring Mr Biden to resist pressure to drop out was his son, Hunter Biden, whom the president has long leaned on for advice." Which doesn't exactly inspire confidence: Hunter has poor judgment and a well-documented history of scandals. (To be clear, I am not sneering at his drug use; addicts deserve empathy. Drugs aside, his questionable business dealings and chaotic personal life make it difficult to look at Hunter and think: "Yeah, that's a guy I should take advice from.") Fingers are not just being pointed at Hunter. The conservative pundit Tucker Carlson reportedly told his audience that Jill Biden is keeping her husband away from people who would convince him to drop out. Meanwhile, the billionaire Bill Ackman ranted on X that Jill Biden doesn't want to give up the perks of being first lady and is forcing her husband to stay on. This narrative may be in bad faith and of questionable veracity. Still, it doesn't help that the first lady is on the cover of the July issue of Vogue, which dropped on Monday, with her nose in the air alongside the words: "We will decide our future." It's terrible timing and conservative commentators are gleefully using this to argue that the Biden family are power-hungry autocrats. To be fair, it is not just Biden's family who don't think he should drop out. He still has plenty of cheerleaders including Allan Lichtman, the historian who has correctly forecast the results of nine out of the 10 most recent presidential elections through his 13 "keys" to the White House. Lichtman recently told CNN calls to replace Biden are " foolhardy nonsense ". Lichtman says debate performance isn't a factor that determines the outcome of an election: "Debate performances can be overcome." Of course, one bad debate performance can be overcome. But Biden has been battling questions about his mental and physical fitness for a long time; it will take more than a few perky public performances to put people's minds at rest. Then there are Biden's other challenges. The president had already alienated progressives because of his unconscionable Gaza policy. Yes, many progressives will still hold their nose and vote for him in November, but will they campaign for him? Will they sacrifice spare hours to knock on doors and staff the phonelines for a man nicknamed Genocide Joe? Will they devote unpaid time to convincing the important undecided voting bloc that Biden is up to the job? I don't think so. The Democratic party has treated activists and young progressives with disdain. Now, more than ever, they will need their energy and enthusiasm to win. Arwa Mahdawi is a Guardian columnist Do you have an opinion on the issues raised in this article? If you would like to submit a response of up to 300 words by email to be considered for publication in our

Was there a massacre after Kenya's anti-tax protests?

In the chaotic context of this week's violence on the streets of the Kenyan capital and a government accused of responding brutally to protests, rumours began to take on a life of their own - feeding into public anger and further stoking a situation that was already tense. On Tuesday citizens watched in horror as a bloody day unfolded in Nairobi. The country's police watchdog is now investigating allegations that officers shot dead protesters outside the national parliament during a day of demonstrations in which at least 23 people are reported to have died. Within hours many Kenyans began to hear reports of another, even more brutal incident - an alleged massacre of civilians in Githurai, a residential suburb 14km (nine miles) north-east of central Nairobi. The story quickly took hold on social media, where some people claimed more than 200 had been killed. Reports referencing the rumours emerged in the media, followed on Wednesday by statements by reputable organisations calling for an independent inquiry. When protesters returned to the heart of Nairobi on Thursday, many spoke of the alleged massacre in Githurai as a reason. But a BBC investigation has found no evidence of mass killings in Githurai - raising questions about how readily misinformation can spread amid a crisis. Here we unpick how the story unfolded. The first sense of anything significant taking place in the suburb emerged on Tuesday evening. It had been a chaotic day across Kenya, with tens of thousands attending protests in central Nairobi which quickly escalated, leading to the storming of parliament, the shooting dead of protesters, looting and attacks on police. After the shocking violence outside and inside parliament the demonstrators began to disperse, many headed towards their homes on the city's outskirts. Githurai is a densely populated residential area on the Thika Highway, the main road north from the city centre. It has rows of formal housing as well as areas of informal settlements, home to tens of thousands of commuters who make the daily trip into central Nairobi. As dusk fell many Githurai residents suddenly became aware of a significant presence of police and what many believed were the military. Communications were patchy on Tuesday evening, with internet outages across Kenya and mobile phone signals periodically going down. But as news of events in Githurai emerged, some videos did make their way to social media. We are yet to come across any verifiable video or image of people killed around that time. In one video clip, which we were able to authenticate by verifying identifiable locations, people can be seen walking towards Githurai. Smoke can be seen rising from the area from a distance as the person filming walks towards the suburb. Those walking alongside the person filming are raising their hands up to show they do not pose any danger. Another video filmed nearby the roundabout shows dozens of people gathered around the area and running away from the scene as gunfire can be heard. In some of the videos, you can see what looks like vehicles belonging to the military or police on the road, and in two of the clips those filming talk about the road having been blocked by protesters. Although the details are hard to verify, it is clear that a major security operation took place in the suburb. But an analysis of social media shows misinformation about what had happened was already starting to take hold. BBC Verify found that old videos filmed in 2022 were being reshared on social media, purporting to show protesters walking along a street carrying flaming torches at this week's protests. The BBC Global Disinformation Unit had previously investigated the clip and discovered that it was recorded in Ghana two years ago. This is not the first time it has been misrepresented. Despite the incomplete understanding of what happened in Githurai, as Kenyans woke up on Wednesday morning reports began to spread of an alleged massacre. It was discussed by radio DJs, reported as rumour by some Kenyan newspapers and widely discussed online. The word "Githurai" was trending on social media sites, including X. The state-funded Kenya National Commission on Human Rights said it had "received unverified reports of scores of residents who were killed by the stray bullets", which it said it would investigate. And later that day the allegations were given new credibility when they were referred to directly by a leading legal organisation, the Law Society of Kenya (LSK) - a body which represents the country's lawyers and works to promote the rule of law. The protesters in central Nairobi had been demanding that a finance bill containing new tax measures be withdrawn Responding to widespread public anger at alleged police brutality outside parliament, LSK president Faith Odhiambo also called for an international investigation into what she called the "massacre" in Githurai. In a press conference, carried by some Kenyan broadcasters, she said: "We call upon the international community to conduct independent investigations on the massacre meted on the residents of Githurai, Nairobi, on the night of 25 June 2024. "I dare ask, is Githurai a protected area? Is Githurai an area that members of the public should not stay, should not live? Why was there a massacre where people are living peacefully? We demand answers to those questions." She added: "From social media, people have been saying that over 100 people were killed yesterday. So we cannot allow those lives to go uncounted, that the people who caused those deaths to be held accountable." Ms Odhiambo has subsequently told the BBC that she now accepts she did not have evidence of a mass killing at the time that she gave her press conference and said she was willing to withdraw the allegation a massacre had occurred. In an interview on Thursday, she said the LSK intended to establish a help desk in Githurai to "slowly collect" evidence of what had happened - and said in previous incidents of mass shootings in Kenya, bodies had been buried and only found later. She said: "We need to ascertain the number. We want to set up a team to investigate the concerns that were made, the rumours that bodies were collected." Asked specifically whether she stood by her decision to make the allegation of a massacre, she said: "Maybe in hindsight I accept that I shouldn't have called it a massacre." Other public bodies also spoke publicly about a "massacre" at Githurai. The word was used on Wednesday afternoon in a statement issued by the Police Reform Working Group, an alliance of organisations that campaign for better policing. The statement said: "Reports show that police shot several people in Githurai in Nairobi - one over 40 times - between 10pm and 1am, way after the protest ended. "We believe that the massacre that happened in Githurai was fueled by an inciteful, and insensitive address President William Ruto gave yesterday at State House. Ruto spoke at 9 pm and threatened Kenyans, and the massacre started at 10pm." A spokesperson for the Police Reform Working Group on Friday told the BBC the organisation's position was now that the alleged massacre at Githurai was "unverified", but declined to comment any further on its statement from Wednesday. By Wednesday afternoon the sense of public anger about the incident in Githurai was so significant that the BBC sent a reporting team to investigate on the ground. But by the time the crew arrived, the bustling suburb was largely calm as traders carried on with their businesses. Many of those we spoke to confirmed Tuesday's violent confrontations between civilians and security forces. A police vehicle was burned. "We dismantled the shell and sold what remained of it as scrap metal," one resident told us. But no-one we spoke to reported seeing any dead bodies, nor could they identify anyone who had been killed. However, the BBC did track down a teenager who was shot during the incident in the suburb. Winfrey Wairimu, 16, was hit by a stray bullet as she visited her mother at her confectionery stall by a bus stop when a crowd of people ran by, pursued by security forces. Ms Wairimu's mother Tabitha Mwaniki, 37, spoke to the BBC about what happened. "Security officers were chasing them, lobbing teargas canisters and firing gunshots," she said. "She called out 'Mum!' and I thought she was just in shock because of the chaos she'd witnessed. "I called her name, 'Wairimu, Wairimu', but she didn't answer." The BBC has since visited the injured teenager and her mother at Nairobi's Kenyatta National Hospital, where she underwent surgery on Wednesday for a bullet wound on her waist. By Wednesday evening details began emerging of different allegations from Githurai - of protesters attacking police. In its main evening bulletin on Wednesday, Kenya's Citizen TV reported that 20 officers had been injured after a police vehicle was attacked - and repeated the allegation heard earlier by the BBC that another police vehicle had been burned. Despite the confusing picture about what had happened, Githurai remained part of the conversation in Nairobi as the week progressed. On Thursday, BBC reporters met several people joining renewed protests in the capital who said news of the alleged massacre had in part inspired them to demonstrate. One woman told us: "People were massacred yesterday at home. I don't understand why people are not actually talking about what happened in Githurai. "The internet was down, electricity was down. So many deaths were recorded, we were hearing gunshots from wherever. But there's nobody actually talking about what happened in Githurai. "Nobody is explaining why that number of people was killed there." "I barely got any sleep yesterday just thinking about how many people died in Githurai," she added. Asked to respond to the fact that no evidence had emerged of a mass killing in the suburb, she said: "There are videos of people being shot down, but at that time things were down - the internet was down, electricity was down." Kenya's Standard newspaper has reported that there were three deaths in Githurai, something the BBC has been unable to confirm and an allegation on which the police have declined to comment. The BBC has asked Kenya's police about what happened in Githurai but the force declined to comment. A human rights advocate who lives and works in Githurai, Njoki Gachanja, told investigations platform Africa Uncensored that the reports of a massacre were untrue. "All these bodies that people have been talking about – that did not happen in Githurai," she said in a video posted on Africa Uncensored's account on Wednesday. She said the organisation she works for, Githurai Social Justice Centre, had been "on the ground since morning", held community meetings and forums trying to look for these victims or their families, but had found no evidence of killings at the reported scale. "I'd like to confirm that I live in Githurai and there's no massacre in Githurai." Ms Gachanja did say they had traced one body with bullet wounds to City Mortuary, the main government morgue. It may be that in time new details do emerge to support claims of police brutality in Githurai. But by Friday evening the respected Kenya National Commission on Human Rights, whose figures have been used by many global media organisations, said its confirmed death toll linked to the protests this week remained at 23, including 19 in Nairobi during the actual protests on Tuesday. And after the alleged massacre in Githurai there is still no evidence of mass killings, with at least some of those who made the allegations now prepared to accept there is doubt over what happened. The story of how news spread of what happened, or rather what may not have happened, in the suburb is a reminder of the power of online communication.

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Was there a massacre after Kenya's anti-tax protests?. In the chaotic context of this week's violence on the streets of the Kenyan capital and a government accused of responding brutally to protests, rumours began to take on a life of their own - feeding into public anger and further stoking a situation that was already tense. On Tuesday citizens watched in horror as a bloody day unfolded in Nairobi. The country's police watchdog is now investigating allegations that officers shot dead protesters outside the national parliament during a day of demonstrations in which at least 23 people are reported to have died. Within hours many Kenyans began to hear reports of another, even more brutal incident - an alleged massacre of civilians in Githurai, a residential suburb 14km (nine miles) north-east of central Nairobi. The story quickly took hold on social media, where some people claimed more than 200 had been killed. Reports referencing the rumours emerged in the media, followed on Wednesday by statements by reputable organisations calling for an independent inquiry. When protesters returned to the heart of Nairobi on Thursday, many spoke of the alleged massacre in Githurai as a reason. But a BBC investigation has found no evidence of mass killings in Githurai - raising questions about how readily misinformation can spread amid a crisis. Here we unpick how the story unfolded. The first sense of anything significant taking place in the suburb emerged on Tuesday evening. It had been a chaotic day across Kenya, with tens of thousands attending protests in central Nairobi which quickly escalated, leading to the storming of parliament, the shooting dead of protesters, looting and attacks on police. After the shocking violence outside and inside parliament the demonstrators began to disperse, many headed towards their homes on the city's outskirts. Githurai is a densely populated residential area on the Thika Highway, the main road north from the city centre. It has rows of formal housing as well as areas of informal settlements, home to tens of thousands of commuters who make the daily trip into central Nairobi. As dusk fell many Githurai residents suddenly became aware of a significant presence of police and what many believed were the military. Communications were patchy on Tuesday evening, with internet outages across Kenya and mobile phone signals periodically going down. But as news of events in Githurai emerged, some videos did make their way to social media. We are yet to come across any verifiable video or image of people killed around that time. In one video clip, which we were able to authenticate by verifying identifiable locations, people can be seen walking towards Githurai. Smoke can be seen rising from the area from a distance as the person filming walks towards the suburb. Those walking alongside the person filming are raising their hands up to show they do not pose any danger. Another video filmed nearby the roundabout shows dozens of people gathered around the area and running away from the scene as gunfire can be heard. In some of the videos, you can see what looks like vehicles belonging to the military or police on the road, and in two of the clips those filming talk about the road having been blocked by protesters. Although the details are hard to verify, it is clear that a major security operation took place in the suburb. But an analysis of social media shows misinformation about what had happened was already starting to take hold. BBC Verify found that old videos filmed in 2022 were being reshared on social media, purporting to show protesters walking along a street carrying flaming torches at this week's protests. The BBC Global Disinformation Unit had previously investigated the clip and discovered that it was recorded in Ghana two years ago. This is not the first time it has been misrepresented. Despite the incomplete understanding of what happened in Githurai, as Kenyans woke up on Wednesday morning reports began to spread of an alleged massacre. It was discussed by radio DJs, reported as rumour by some Kenyan newspapers and widely discussed online. The word "Githurai" was trending on social media sites, including X. The state-funded Kenya National Commission on Human Rights said it had "received unverified reports of scores of residents who were killed by the stray bullets", which it said it would investigate. And later that day the allegations were given new credibility when they were referred to directly by a leading legal organisation, the Law Society of Kenya (LSK) - a body which represents the country's lawyers and works to promote the rule of law. The protesters in central Nairobi had been demanding that a finance bill containing new tax measures be withdrawn Responding to widespread public anger at alleged police brutality outside parliament, LSK president Faith Odhiambo also called for an international investigation into what she called the "massacre" in Githurai. In a press conference, carried by some Kenyan broadcasters, she said: "We call upon the international community to conduct independent investigations on the massacre meted on the residents of Githurai, Nairobi, on the night of 25 June 2024. "I dare ask, is Githurai a protected area? Is Githurai an area that members of the public should not stay, should not live? Why was there a massacre where people are living peacefully? We demand answers to those questions." She added: "From social media, people have been saying that over 100 people were killed yesterday. So we cannot allow those lives to go uncounted, that the people who caused those deaths to be held accountable." Ms Odhiambo has subsequently told the BBC that she now accepts she did not have evidence of a mass killing at the time that she gave her press conference and said she was willing to withdraw the allegation a massacre had occurred. In an interview on Thursday, she said the LSK intended to establish a help desk in Githurai to "slowly collect" evidence of what had happened - and said in previous incidents of mass shootings in Kenya, bodies had been buried and only found later. She said: "We need to ascertain the number. We want to set up a team to investigate the concerns that were made, the rumours that bodies were collected." Asked specifically whether she stood by her decision to make the allegation of a massacre, she said: "Maybe in hindsight I accept that I shouldn't have called it a massacre." Other public bodies also spoke publicly about a "massacre" at Githurai. The word was used on Wednesday afternoon in a statement issued by the Police Reform Working Group, an alliance of organisations that campaign for better policing. The statement said: "Reports show that police shot several people in Githurai in Nairobi - one over 40 times - between 10pm and 1am, way after the protest ended. "We believe that the massacre that happened in Githurai was fueled by an inciteful, and insensitive address President William Ruto gave yesterday at State House. Ruto spoke at 9 pm and threatened Kenyans, and the massacre started at 10pm." A spokesperson for the Police Reform Working Group on Friday told the BBC the organisation's position was now that the alleged massacre at Githurai was "unverified", but declined to comment any further on its statement from Wednesday. By Wednesday afternoon the sense of public anger about the incident in Githurai was so significant that the BBC sent a reporting team to investigate on the ground. But by the time the crew arrived, the bustling suburb was largely calm as traders carried on with their businesses. Many of those we spoke to confirmed Tuesday's violent confrontations between civilians and security forces. A police vehicle was burned. "We dismantled the shell and sold what remained of it as scrap metal," one resident told us. But no-one we spoke to reported seeing any dead bodies, nor could they identify anyone who had been killed. However, the BBC did track down a teenager who was shot during the incident in the suburb. Winfrey Wairimu, 16, was hit by a stray bullet as she visited her mother at her confectionery stall by a bus stop when a crowd of people ran by, pursued by security forces. Ms Wairimu's mother Tabitha Mwaniki, 37, spoke to the BBC about what happened. "Security officers were chasing them, lobbing teargas canisters and firing gunshots," she said. "She called out 'Mum!' and I thought she was just in shock because of the chaos she'd witnessed. "I called her name, 'Wairimu, Wairimu', but she didn't answer." The BBC has since visited the injured teenager and her mother at Nairobi's Kenyatta National Hospital, where she underwent surgery on Wednesday for a bullet wound on her waist. By Wednesday evening details began emerging of different allegations from Githurai - of protesters attacking police. In its main evening bulletin on Wednesday, Kenya's Citizen TV reported that 20 officers had been injured after a police vehicle was attacked - and repeated the allegation heard earlier by the BBC that another police vehicle had been burned. Despite the confusing picture about what had happened, Githurai remained part of the conversation in Nairobi as the week progressed. On Thursday, BBC reporters met several people joining renewed protests in the capital who said news of the alleged massacre had in part inspired them to demonstrate. One woman told us: "People were massacred yesterday at home. I don't understand why people are not actually talking about what happened in Githurai. "The internet was down, electricity was down. So many deaths were recorded, we were hearing gunshots from wherever. But there's nobody actually talking about what happened in Githurai. "Nobody is explaining why that number of people was killed there." "I barely got any sleep yesterday just thinking about how many people died in Githurai," she added. Asked to respond to the fact that no evidence had emerged of a mass killing in the suburb, she said: "There are videos of people being shot down, but at that time things were down - the internet was down, electricity was down." Kenya's Standard newspaper has reported that there were three deaths in Githurai, something the BBC has been unable to confirm and an allegation on which the police have declined to comment. The BBC has asked Kenya's police about what happened in Githurai but the force declined to comment. A human rights advocate who lives and works in Githurai, Njoki Gachanja, told investigations platform Africa Uncensored that the reports of a massacre were untrue. "All these bodies that people have been talking about – that did not happen in Githurai," she said in a video posted on Africa Uncensored's account on Wednesday. She said the organisation she works for, Githurai Social Justice Centre, had been "on the ground since morning", held community meetings and forums trying to look for these victims or their families, but had found no evidence of killings at the reported scale. "I'd like to confirm that I live in Githurai and there's no massacre in Githurai." Ms Gachanja did say they had traced one body with bullet wounds to City Mortuary, the main government morgue. It may be that in time new details do emerge to support claims of police brutality in Githurai. But by Friday evening the respected Kenya National Commission on Human Rights, whose figures have been used by many global media organisations, said its confirmed death toll linked to the protests this week remained at 23, including 19 in Nairobi during the actual protests on Tuesday. And after the alleged massacre in Githurai there is still no evidence of mass killings, with at least some of those who made the allegations now prepared to accept there is doubt over what happened. The story of how news spread of what happened, or rather what may not have happened, in the suburb is a reminder of the power of online communication.

Monogram Health and Memorial Hermann Join Forces to Improve Outcomes for Patients Impacted by Polychronic Conditions

Monogram Health, the nation's leading value-based provider of in-home, evidence-based care and benefit management services for patients living with chronic kidney disease (CKD) and end stage kidney disease (ESKD), announced it is partnering with Memorial Hermann Health System, the largest not-for-profit health system in Southeast Texas, to improve the health outcomes of patients living with polychronic conditions. "Monogram Health has consistently proven to be both an innovator and leader in risk-based in-home care delivery and management," said Feby Abraham, executive vice president and chief strategy officer for Memorial Hermann. "We share a common goal to provide whole-person, outcomes-oriented care, and this strategic partnership will further enable Memorial Hermann to adopt an advanced risk platform that progresses access to high quality care for our patients – inside and outside the 'four walls' of the health system." Monogram's next-generation, specialty risk model has been shown to achieve improved patient outcomes, experience and quality of life while reducing medical costs. The new joint venture connects Monogram's extensive in-home evidence-based care and benefit management services with Memorial Hermann's high-quality, affiliated medical staff and physician teams to work together to slow the progression of CKD and ESKD. "Joining forces with a world-renowned health system like Memorial Hermann is both an honor and a significant opportunity," said Dr. Aash Shah, MD, Chief Growth Officer of Monogram Health. "By aligning our unique kidney care model and specialized expertise with their distinguished physicians and providers, we will accelerate our mutual efforts to continuously enhance and streamline CKD and ESKD care while helping Southeast Texans live happier, more fulfilling lives." This partnership marks the growth of Monogram's footprint in the Texas Gulf Coast. The company has forged partnerships with leading health systems including AdventHealth, Banner Health, Point32Health and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. About Monogram Health Monogram Health is a leading value-based provider of in-home, evidence-based care and benefit management services for patients living with polychronic conditions, notably, chronic kidney and end stage kidney disease. Through its unique in-home integrated provider services, Monogram Health and its employed providers treat CKD, ESKD and their prevalent co-morbidities including complex metabolic, pulmonary, and cardiovascular diseases. The company deploys a technology-driven array of clinical programs including comprehensive case management, disease management, utilization management, and medication therapy management to enable the delivery of value-based care. Based in Nashville, Tenn., and privately held by Frist Cressey Ventures, Norwest Venture Partners, and TPG Capital, Monogram Health has numerous value-based partnerships with leading health plans, integrated delivery systems, and risk-bearing entities to care for patients across 35 states and all insurance products. To learn more about Monogram Health, please visit employees practice the highest standards of safe, evidence-based, quality care to provide a personalized and outcome-oriented experience across more than 250 care delivery sites. As one of the largest not-for-profit health systems in Southeast Texas, Memorial Hermann has an award-winning and nationally acclaimed Accountable Care Organization, 17* hospitals and numerous specialty programs and services conveniently located throughout the Memorial Hermann-Texas Medical Center is one of the nation's busiest Level I trauma centers and serves as the primary teaching hospital for McGovern Medical School at UTHealth. For more than 116 years, our focus has been the best interest of our community, contributing nearly community benefit programs. Now and for generations to come, the health of our community will be at the center of what we do – charting a better future for all.

business

Monogram Health and Memorial Hermann Join Forces to Improve Outcomes for Patients Impacted by Polychronic Conditions. Monogram Health, the nation's leading value-based provider of in-home, evidence-based care and benefit management services for patients living with chronic kidney disease (CKD) and end stage kidney disease (ESKD), announced it is partnering with Memorial Hermann Health System, the largest not-for-profit health system in Southeast Texas, to improve the health outcomes of patients living with polychronic conditions. "Monogram Health has consistently proven to be both an innovator and leader in risk-based in-home care delivery and management," said Feby Abraham, executive vice president and chief strategy officer for Memorial Hermann. "We share a common goal to provide whole-person, outcomes-oriented care, and this strategic partnership will further enable Memorial Hermann to adopt an advanced risk platform that progresses access to high quality care for our patients – inside and outside the 'four walls' of the health system." Monogram's next-generation, specialty risk model has been shown to achieve improved patient outcomes, experience and quality of life while reducing medical costs. The new joint venture connects Monogram's extensive in-home evidence-based care and benefit management services with Memorial Hermann's high-quality, affiliated medical staff and physician teams to work together to slow the progression of CKD and ESKD. "Joining forces with a world-renowned health system like Memorial Hermann is both an honor and a significant opportunity," said Dr. Aash Shah, MD, Chief Growth Officer of Monogram Health. "By aligning our unique kidney care model and specialized expertise with their distinguished physicians and providers, we will accelerate our mutual efforts to continuously enhance and streamline CKD and ESKD care while helping Southeast Texans live happier, more fulfilling lives." This partnership marks the growth of Monogram's footprint in the Texas Gulf Coast. The company has forged partnerships with leading health systems including AdventHealth, Banner Health, Point32Health and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. About Monogram Health Monogram Health is a leading value-based provider of in-home, evidence-based care and benefit management services for patients living with polychronic conditions, notably, chronic kidney and end stage kidney disease. Through its unique in-home integrated provider services, Monogram Health and its employed providers treat CKD, ESKD and their prevalent co-morbidities including complex metabolic, pulmonary, and cardiovascular diseases. The company deploys a technology-driven array of clinical programs including comprehensive case management, disease management, utilization management, and medication therapy management to enable the delivery of value-based care. Based in Nashville, Tenn., and privately held by Frist Cressey Ventures, Norwest Venture Partners, and TPG Capital, Monogram Health has numerous value-based partnerships with leading health plans, integrated delivery systems, and risk-bearing entities to care for patients across 35 states and all insurance products. To learn more about Monogram Health, please visit employees practice the highest standards of safe, evidence-based, quality care to provide a personalized and outcome-oriented experience across more than 250 care delivery sites. As one of the largest not-for-profit health systems in Southeast Texas, Memorial Hermann has an award-winning and nationally acclaimed Accountable Care Organization, 17* hospitals and numerous specialty programs and services conveniently located throughout the Memorial Hermann-Texas Medical Center is one of the nation's busiest Level I trauma centers and serves as the primary teaching hospital for McGovern Medical School at UTHealth. For more than 116 years, our focus has been the best interest of our community, contributing nearly community benefit programs. Now and for generations to come, the health of our community will be at the center of what we do – charting a better future for all.

Memorial grows for mother, 4 children and family acquaintance killed in Ottawa

Dozens of stuffed animals, flowers and candles have been placed at a memorial in a Barrhaven park in memory of a mother, her four young children and a family acquaintance killed at their family home this week. As Ottawa police continue to investigate the worst mass killing in the city's history, the community is mourning the deaths and struggling to understand what happened. "I feel so sad for the tragedy that happened," said one woman at the memorial. "It's heartbreaking, as a mother, to see four young children taken away." "It's shocking because I'm a father of four here in this neighbourhood," said a man at the vigil. "It's shocking, I can't believe it." A vigil has been established at Palmadeo Park, at the corner of Palmadeo Drive and Rodeo Drive, in memory of the six victims. A candlelight vigil will be held for the victims on Saturday at 11 a.m. in the park. On Wednesday, officers responding to a 911 call found the bodies of six people inside the home. The suspect was arrested inside the house without incident. The victims have been identified as 35-year-old Darshani Banbaranayake Gama Walwwe Darshani Dilanthika Ekanyake and her four children – Kelly, Rinyana, Ashwini and Inuka. A family acquaintance, 40-year-old Amarakoonmubiayansela Ge Gamini Amarakoon, was also found deceased at the home. Police say the family were newcomers to Canada from Sri Lanka. The Wickramasinghe family is pictured here in this undated image. The four young children and their mother were killed in their Ottawa home on March 6, 2024 alongside a family friend. The father was seriously injured in the attack. A 19-year-old suspect is in custody and is facing multiple counts of first-degree murder. Ottawa Police Chief Eric Stubbs says investigators continue to look into what happened inside the home Wednesday night. "The team has got a plan and they're going to dig in deeper to a lot of those different relationships," Stubbs told Newstalk 580 CFRA's The Morning Rush with Bill Carroll Friday morning. "We certainly have a fairly good idea of sort of the dynamics of what was going on, but still more work to go." The husband and father of the victims continues to recover in hospital. Stubbs says investigators will make sure "we don't push him" as part of the investigation. "We manage him as best as we can so he's comfortable in talking and explaining everything on his time, because, obviously, he's absorbing a lot of physical and mental injuries and we want to make sure his care and his wellness is number one." A moment of silence for the victims was held at Ottawa City Hall before the International Women's Day event. "To the family, neighbours and friends, I want to say that all the people of Ottawa are with you, we stand with you," Mayor Mark Sutcliffe said Friday morning. "Our thoughts and prayers extend to you during this very, very difficult time." Suspect appears in court The suspect made a brief court appearance on Thursday, and is scheduled to appear in court again next week. Febrio De-Zoysa, 19, is facing six counts of first-degree murder and one count of attempted murder. He cannot have contact with five people, including the surviving husband and father. Police say De-Zoysa is a Sri Lankan national who came to Canada to study as an international student. A spokesperson for Algonquin College told CTV News Ottawa he attended classes at the Ottawa college, "It appears that his last semester of attendance was Winter 2023." They went to school but ended up as hostages. 287 children are missing in Nigeria's forests Economy adds 41,000 jobs in February, but other measures paint weaker picture of labour market Truck hauling paper collides and catches fire on Highway 401, shutting down lanes Diet drinks may boost risk of dangerous heart condition by 20 per cent, study says

canada

Memorial grows for mother, 4 children and family acquaintance killed in Ottawa. Dozens of stuffed animals, flowers and candles have been placed at a memorial in a Barrhaven park in memory of a mother, her four young children and a family acquaintance killed at their family home this week. As Ottawa police continue to investigate the worst mass killing in the city's history, the community is mourning the deaths and struggling to understand what happened. "I feel so sad for the tragedy that happened," said one woman at the memorial. "It's heartbreaking, as a mother, to see four young children taken away." "It's shocking because I'm a father of four here in this neighbourhood," said a man at the vigil. "It's shocking, I can't believe it." A vigil has been established at Palmadeo Park, at the corner of Palmadeo Drive and Rodeo Drive, in memory of the six victims. A candlelight vigil will be held for the victims on Saturday at 11 a.m. in the park. On Wednesday, officers responding to a 911 call found the bodies of six people inside the home. The suspect was arrested inside the house without incident. The victims have been identified as 35-year-old Darshani Banbaranayake Gama Walwwe Darshani Dilanthika Ekanyake and her four children – Kelly, Rinyana, Ashwini and Inuka. A family acquaintance, 40-year-old Amarakoonmubiayansela Ge Gamini Amarakoon, was also found deceased at the home. Police say the family were newcomers to Canada from Sri Lanka. The Wickramasinghe family is pictured here in this undated image. The four young children and their mother were killed in their Ottawa home on March 6, 2024 alongside a family friend. The father was seriously injured in the attack. A 19-year-old suspect is in custody and is facing multiple counts of first-degree murder. Ottawa Police Chief Eric Stubbs says investigators continue to look into what happened inside the home Wednesday night. "The team has got a plan and they're going to dig in deeper to a lot of those different relationships," Stubbs told Newstalk 580 CFRA's The Morning Rush with Bill Carroll Friday morning. "We certainly have a fairly good idea of sort of the dynamics of what was going on, but still more work to go." The husband and father of the victims continues to recover in hospital. Stubbs says investigators will make sure "we don't push him" as part of the investigation. "We manage him as best as we can so he's comfortable in talking and explaining everything on his time, because, obviously, he's absorbing a lot of physical and mental injuries and we want to make sure his care and his wellness is number one." A moment of silence for the victims was held at Ottawa City Hall before the International Women's Day event. "To the family, neighbours and friends, I want to say that all the people of Ottawa are with you, we stand with you," Mayor Mark Sutcliffe said Friday morning. "Our thoughts and prayers extend to you during this very, very difficult time." Suspect appears in court The suspect made a brief court appearance on Thursday, and is scheduled to appear in court again next week. Febrio De-Zoysa, 19, is facing six counts of first-degree murder and one count of attempted murder. He cannot have contact with five people, including the surviving husband and father. Police say De-Zoysa is a Sri Lankan national who came to Canada to study as an international student. A spokesperson for Algonquin College told CTV News Ottawa he attended classes at the Ottawa college, "It appears that his last semester of attendance was Winter 2023." They went to school but ended up as hostages. 287 children are missing in Nigeria's forests Economy adds 41,000 jobs in February, but other measures paint weaker picture of labour market Truck hauling paper collides and catches fire on Highway 401, shutting down lanes Diet drinks may boost risk of dangerous heart condition by 20 per cent, study says

Farage says West 'provoked' Russia's invasion of Ukraine

Nigel Farage has reiterated that he blames the West and NATO for the Russian invasion of Ukraine - as he confirmed that he previously said he "admired" Vladimir Putin as a statesman. Speaking to the BBC, the Reform UK leader was asked about his previous comments on Russia and Ukraine. Asked about Russia's 2022 invasion, Mr Farage told Nick Robinson that he had been saying since the fall of the Berlin Wall that there would be a war in Ukraine due to the "ever-eastward expansion of NATO and the European Union". More bad news for Tory campaign He said this was giving Mr Putin a reason to tell the Russian people "they're coming for us again" and go to war. Reform leader confirmed his belief the West "provoked" the conflict - but said it was "of course" the Russian president's "fault". Follow Sky News on WhatsApp Keep up with all the latest news from the UK and around the world by following Sky News Previous comments Mr Farage made about Mr Putin were also put to him. He was asked about comments he made in 2014 stating that Mr Putin was the statesman he most admired. Mr Farage said he disliked the Russian leader - but "I admired him as a political operator because he's managed to take control" of running the country. "This is the nonsense, you know, you can pick any figure, current or historical, and say, you know, did they have good aspects?" he added. Mr Farage was also asked about Brexit, and how it has impacted the UK. On his party's climate policies, Mr Farage said he wants to "go for nuclear energy" and scrap the existing net zero programme. He rejected that he was "arguing the science" on climate change, but that "we spend too much time hyperventilating about the problem, rather than thinking practically and logically what we can do". This content is provided by Spreaker, which may be using cookies and other technologies. To show you this content, we need your permission to use cookies. You can use the buttons below to amend your preferences to enable Spreaker cookies or to allow those cookies just once. You can change your settings at any time via the

politics

Farage says West 'provoked' Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Nigel Farage has reiterated that he blames the West and NATO for the Russian invasion of Ukraine - as he confirmed that he previously said he "admired" Vladimir Putin as a statesman. Speaking to the BBC, the Reform UK leader was asked about his previous comments on Russia and Ukraine. Asked about Russia's 2022 invasion, Mr Farage told Nick Robinson that he had been saying since the fall of the Berlin Wall that there would be a war in Ukraine due to the "ever-eastward expansion of NATO and the European Union". More bad news for Tory campaign He said this was giving Mr Putin a reason to tell the Russian people "they're coming for us again" and go to war. Reform leader confirmed his belief the West "provoked" the conflict - but said it was "of course" the Russian president's "fault". Follow Sky News on WhatsApp Keep up with all the latest news from the UK and around the world by following Sky News Previous comments Mr Farage made about Mr Putin were also put to him. He was asked about comments he made in 2014 stating that Mr Putin was the statesman he most admired. Mr Farage said he disliked the Russian leader - but "I admired him as a political operator because he's managed to take control" of running the country. "This is the nonsense, you know, you can pick any figure, current or historical, and say, you know, did they have good aspects?" he added. Mr Farage was also asked about Brexit, and how it has impacted the UK. On his party's climate policies, Mr Farage said he wants to "go for nuclear energy" and scrap the existing net zero programme. He rejected that he was "arguing the science" on climate change, but that "we spend too much time hyperventilating about the problem, rather than thinking practically and logically what we can do". This content is provided by Spreaker, which may be using cookies and other technologies. To show you this content, we need your permission to use cookies. You can use the buttons below to amend your preferences to enable Spreaker cookies or to allow those cookies just once. You can change your settings at any time via the

Blaise Taylor, former Arkansas State star, arrested on suspicion of poisoning, killing pregnant girlfriend

Arkansas State football player was arrested Thursday night due to his alleged involvement in the death of his pregnant girlfriend. Blaise Taylor, who currently works as a staffer at Texas A&M, is accused of poisoning Jade Benning, killing her and her unborn child. Benning was rushed to the hospital on February 25 of last year. Taylor called 911, saying that Benning had an allergic reaction. She was unable to speak to police before she died, because, as ESPN notes, her condition had grown critical quickly. CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM Defensive back Blaise Taylor, #1 of the Arkansas State Red Wolves, attempts to escape a tackle by wide receiver Cody Thompson, #25 of the Toledo Rockets, during the second quarter on January 4, 2015, at Ladd-Peebles Stadium in Mobile, Alabama. At halftime, the Toledo Rockets led the Arkansas State Red Wolves 35-17. (Michael Chang/Getty Images) Benning was five months pregnant at the time. The fetus died on February 27, and Benning died on March 6, her 25th birthday. The alleged incident occurred in Nashville. Because of the fetus' death, Taylor has been hit with two first-degree murder charges. Taylor is believed to have fathered the child. U.S. Marshals arrested Taylor in Utah, serving an indictment from Nashville police. Taylor had worked for the Tennessee Titans. Arkansas State Red Wolves defensive back Blaise Taylor (1) catches a punt during the Cure Bowl between the UCF Knights and Arkansas State Red Wolves on December 17, 2016, at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Florida. (Joe Petro/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) PLANET FITNESS REVOKES WOMAN'S MEMBERSHIP AFTER SHE SNAPPED PHOTO OF TRANSGENDER WOMAN IN WOMEN'S LOCKER ROOM Taylor was a four-year starter with Arkansas State, where he still holds the school's records for punt return yards (1,151) and pass breakups (30). He had one punt return for a touchdown in each of his four years in college. He also ran back a kickoff for a touchdown in his sophomore year in 2015. He was named a Second-Team All-Sun Belt return specialist in 2014 and 2016 and was named the conference's Special Teams Player of the Week three times during his career. Arkansas State Red Wolves defensive back Blaise Taylor (1) scoops up his fumble and runs for a 63-yard touchdown during the first half against Nebraska on September 2, 2017, at Memorial Stadium in Lincoln, Nebraska. Nebraska beat Arkansas State 43 to 36.

sports

Blaise Taylor, former Arkansas State star, arrested on suspicion of poisoning, killing pregnant girlfriend. Arkansas State football player was arrested Thursday night due to his alleged involvement in the death of his pregnant girlfriend. Blaise Taylor, who currently works as a staffer at Texas A&M, is accused of poisoning Jade Benning, killing her and her unborn child. Benning was rushed to the hospital on February 25 of last year. Taylor called 911, saying that Benning had an allergic reaction. She was unable to speak to police before she died, because, as ESPN notes, her condition had grown critical quickly. CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM Defensive back Blaise Taylor, #1 of the Arkansas State Red Wolves, attempts to escape a tackle by wide receiver Cody Thompson, #25 of the Toledo Rockets, during the second quarter on January 4, 2015, at Ladd-Peebles Stadium in Mobile, Alabama. At halftime, the Toledo Rockets led the Arkansas State Red Wolves 35-17. (Michael Chang/Getty Images) Benning was five months pregnant at the time. The fetus died on February 27, and Benning died on March 6, her 25th birthday. The alleged incident occurred in Nashville. Because of the fetus' death, Taylor has been hit with two first-degree murder charges. Taylor is believed to have fathered the child. U.S. Marshals arrested Taylor in Utah, serving an indictment from Nashville police. Taylor had worked for the Tennessee Titans. Arkansas State Red Wolves defensive back Blaise Taylor (1) catches a punt during the Cure Bowl between the UCF Knights and Arkansas State Red Wolves on December 17, 2016, at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Florida. (Joe Petro/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) PLANET FITNESS REVOKES WOMAN'S MEMBERSHIP AFTER SHE SNAPPED PHOTO OF TRANSGENDER WOMAN IN WOMEN'S LOCKER ROOM Taylor was a four-year starter with Arkansas State, where he still holds the school's records for punt return yards (1,151) and pass breakups (30). He had one punt return for a touchdown in each of his four years in college. He also ran back a kickoff for a touchdown in his sophomore year in 2015. He was named a Second-Team All-Sun Belt return specialist in 2014 and 2016 and was named the conference's Special Teams Player of the Week three times during his career. Arkansas State Red Wolves defensive back Blaise Taylor (1) scoops up his fumble and runs for a 63-yard touchdown during the first half against Nebraska on September 2, 2017, at Memorial Stadium in Lincoln, Nebraska. Nebraska beat Arkansas State 43 to 36.

The post-9/11 generation’s path to post-traumatic growth

Veterans who embody the ethos of post-traumatic growth push back against the narrative of the "broken" vet. (Maj. Justin Wright/Army) For my generation of veterans that came of age in the aftermath of the terror attacks on Sept. 11, 2001, and subsequently fought in the longest wars in American history, there is a signature injury that has impacted nearly three in ten of us: post-traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD. PTSD is not just a medical diagnosis but a poignant symbol of a collective, enduring struggle. While we've seen resources and treatments provided for PTSD increase as well as a broader acceptance for those impacted by this injury, we've also seen these men and women viewed as though they're broken. Veterans who embody the ethos of post-traumatic growth — the positive psychological change experienced as a result of overcoming highly challenging and stressful life situations — push back against that "broken" narrative. I urge you to join Josh Goldberg, CEO of Boulder Crest, in marking June 13 on your calendar as National Post-Traumatic Growth Day. We have seen examples of post-traumatic growth throughout history, where significant adversity can spark substantial progress and change. Since our nation's founding, waves of American veterans have demonstrated how they've become incredible civic assets after their military service. From George Washington to Dwight D. Eisenhower, John McCain and Colin Powell, these veterans became icons of American statesmanship. Post-traumatic growth doesn't just apply to politics and public service. We also see growth in the entrepreneurial spirit in veterans who started small businesses and went on to become titans of industry. Today, there are 2.5 million veteran-owned companies, exemplified by decorated Iraq War veterans like Blake Hall and After Hall's 2004 Vanderbilt Army ROTC commissioning, he became a rifle platoon leader and served in Iraq, twice earning the Bronze Star. After his Army service, he graduated from Harvard Business School and started ID.me in 2010, which simplifies how individuals securely prove and share their identity online. Dawn Halfaker, a 2001 West Point graduate, earned the Purple Heart and Bronze Star for her service in Iraq in 2004. She came home as an amputee and founded Halfaker and Associates two years later. She now runs HAFCO Holdings LLC as well as Continuing to Serve, a non-profit supporting veteran entrepreneurs. John F. Kennedy was once asked what actions led him to become a war hero, which launched his career in public service. "It was involuntary — they sank my boat," he said. My post-traumatic growth occurred in the same vein. I returned from an Iraq deployment with the 82nd Airborne Division's Falcon Brigade in 2004 with the burden of 19 paratroopers killed in action. Spurred to live a life worth their sacrifice, I aimed to become the man I thought they would want me to be, and to live a life of meaning. I became the first Iraq War veteran elected to Congress, leading the effort to repeal "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" and serving as the co-sponsor of the Post-9/11 G.I. Bill, which has sent more than 1.1 million people to college. As the 32nd Undersecretary of the Army, I pushed for policies to reduce the stigma of seeking help, resulting in the addition of embedded behavioral health teams at the battalion level. One key way to experience growth after service is by stoking the fires of the post-9/11 generation's entrepreneurial spirit. This is why I've leaned on a generation of veterans who preceded me, like Alex Gorsky, the former CEO of Johnson & Johnson and Bob McDonald, the former CEO of Proctor & Gamble and the 8th Secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs. These former soldiers and business leaders helped me achieve post-traumatic growth in the way I hope to see from others. Our generation has collectively survived the crucible of combat — running a business is a purpose-driven mission that veterans can collectively appreciate. World War II veterans came home and took part in that same mission, and in the process, built the world's most iconic brands, including the largest sports apparel company (Nike), the largest retailer (Walmart), and the world's biggest media company (Comcast). In contrast, fewer than 5% of post-9/11 veterans start their own business today. But it's more than just access to capital. As post-9/11 veterans, we must define who we are and, more importantly, who we can become. It took more than five decades for the WWII generation to be defined as "the greatest generation" by Tom Brokaw — after two decades of war, we cannot afford to wait five more decades to define our generation's continued service. This generation's veterans are more likely to be employed, more likely to vote in elections, and yes, more likely to start a successful small business. The Halls and Halfakers will become the next Phil Knight or Ralph Lauren if given the chance. This begins today, on National Post-Traumatic Growth Day, as we recognize, celebrate, and properly frame post-traumatic growth — the opportunity our generation has to overcome the toughest of circumstances to turn our struggle into success. Patrick J. Murphy is a decorated Iraq War veteran, venture capitalist, Wharton Business School lecturer. He was the first Iraq War veteran elected to Congress and served as the 32nd Undersecretary of the Army. As a partner in Stony Lonesome Group, Murphy's venture capital group is an ID.me investor. He serves with Dawn Halfacre on the board of Drexel Hamilton. In Other News Navy chief rescue swimmer dies during refresher course training Chief Naval Aircrewman Peter Lagosh was attending refresher training at NAS Jacksonville at the time of his death, officials said. Congressman accuses Army of political attacks over combat badge Rep. Troy Nehls has received criticism for wearing a Combat Infantry Badge lapel pin after the service revoked the award last year. Junior enlisted would see only a small pay boost under Senate plan A Senate panel supports an extra 1% pay bump for young enlisted troops next year, far less than what House lawmakers want. Congress still waiting on Osprey crash, safety documents from Pentagon Lawmakers haven't received more details on Osprey proprotor gearboxes, a component that was a factor in the 2023 crash off Japan that killed eight airmen. VA home loan program added $4 trillion to US economy since WWII

military

The post-9/11 generation’s path to post-traumatic growth. Veterans who embody the ethos of post-traumatic growth push back against the narrative of the "broken" vet. (Maj. Justin Wright/Army) For my generation of veterans that came of age in the aftermath of the terror attacks on Sept. 11, 2001, and subsequently fought in the longest wars in American history, there is a signature injury that has impacted nearly three in ten of us: post-traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD. PTSD is not just a medical diagnosis but a poignant symbol of a collective, enduring struggle. While we've seen resources and treatments provided for PTSD increase as well as a broader acceptance for those impacted by this injury, we've also seen these men and women viewed as though they're broken. Veterans who embody the ethos of post-traumatic growth — the positive psychological change experienced as a result of overcoming highly challenging and stressful life situations — push back against that "broken" narrative. I urge you to join Josh Goldberg, CEO of Boulder Crest, in marking June 13 on your calendar as National Post-Traumatic Growth Day. We have seen examples of post-traumatic growth throughout history, where significant adversity can spark substantial progress and change. Since our nation's founding, waves of American veterans have demonstrated how they've become incredible civic assets after their military service. From George Washington to Dwight D. Eisenhower, John McCain and Colin Powell, these veterans became icons of American statesmanship. Post-traumatic growth doesn't just apply to politics and public service. We also see growth in the entrepreneurial spirit in veterans who started small businesses and went on to become titans of industry. Today, there are 2.5 million veteran-owned companies, exemplified by decorated Iraq War veterans like Blake Hall and After Hall's 2004 Vanderbilt Army ROTC commissioning, he became a rifle platoon leader and served in Iraq, twice earning the Bronze Star. After his Army service, he graduated from Harvard Business School and started ID.me in 2010, which simplifies how individuals securely prove and share their identity online. Dawn Halfaker, a 2001 West Point graduate, earned the Purple Heart and Bronze Star for her service in Iraq in 2004. She came home as an amputee and founded Halfaker and Associates two years later. She now runs HAFCO Holdings LLC as well as Continuing to Serve, a non-profit supporting veteran entrepreneurs. John F. Kennedy was once asked what actions led him to become a war hero, which launched his career in public service. "It was involuntary — they sank my boat," he said. My post-traumatic growth occurred in the same vein. I returned from an Iraq deployment with the 82nd Airborne Division's Falcon Brigade in 2004 with the burden of 19 paratroopers killed in action. Spurred to live a life worth their sacrifice, I aimed to become the man I thought they would want me to be, and to live a life of meaning. I became the first Iraq War veteran elected to Congress, leading the effort to repeal "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" and serving as the co-sponsor of the Post-9/11 G.I. Bill, which has sent more than 1.1 million people to college. As the 32nd Undersecretary of the Army, I pushed for policies to reduce the stigma of seeking help, resulting in the addition of embedded behavioral health teams at the battalion level. One key way to experience growth after service is by stoking the fires of the post-9/11 generation's entrepreneurial spirit. This is why I've leaned on a generation of veterans who preceded me, like Alex Gorsky, the former CEO of Johnson & Johnson and Bob McDonald, the former CEO of Proctor & Gamble and the 8th Secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs. These former soldiers and business leaders helped me achieve post-traumatic growth in the way I hope to see from others. Our generation has collectively survived the crucible of combat — running a business is a purpose-driven mission that veterans can collectively appreciate. World War II veterans came home and took part in that same mission, and in the process, built the world's most iconic brands, including the largest sports apparel company (Nike), the largest retailer (Walmart), and the world's biggest media company (Comcast). In contrast, fewer than 5% of post-9/11 veterans start their own business today. But it's more than just access to capital. As post-9/11 veterans, we must define who we are and, more importantly, who we can become. It took more than five decades for the WWII generation to be defined as "the greatest generation" by Tom Brokaw — after two decades of war, we cannot afford to wait five more decades to define our generation's continued service. This generation's veterans are more likely to be employed, more likely to vote in elections, and yes, more likely to start a successful small business. The Halls and Halfakers will become the next Phil Knight or Ralph Lauren if given the chance. This begins today, on National Post-Traumatic Growth Day, as we recognize, celebrate, and properly frame post-traumatic growth — the opportunity our generation has to overcome the toughest of circumstances to turn our struggle into success. Patrick J. Murphy is a decorated Iraq War veteran, venture capitalist, Wharton Business School lecturer. He was the first Iraq War veteran elected to Congress and served as the 32nd Undersecretary of the Army. As a partner in Stony Lonesome Group, Murphy's venture capital group is an ID.me investor. He serves with Dawn Halfacre on the board of Drexel Hamilton. In Other News Navy chief rescue swimmer dies during refresher course training Chief Naval Aircrewman Peter Lagosh was attending refresher training at NAS Jacksonville at the time of his death, officials said. Congressman accuses Army of political attacks over combat badge Rep. Troy Nehls has received criticism for wearing a Combat Infantry Badge lapel pin after the service revoked the award last year. Junior enlisted would see only a small pay boost under Senate plan A Senate panel supports an extra 1% pay bump for young enlisted troops next year, far less than what House lawmakers want. Congress still waiting on Osprey crash, safety documents from Pentagon Lawmakers haven't received more details on Osprey proprotor gearboxes, a component that was a factor in the 2023 crash off Japan that killed eight airmen. VA home loan program added $4 trillion to US economy since WWII

Functional Foods and Beverages Market size is set to grow by USD 141.4 billion from 2024-2028, Product innovations to boost the market growth, Technavio

June 3, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The global functional foods and beverages market size is estimated to grow by USD 141.4 billion from 2024-2028, according to Technavio. The market is estimated to grow at a CAGR of almost 7.45% during the forecast period. For comprehensive forecast and historic data on regions, market segments, customer landscape, and companies- Product (Functional foods and Functional beverages), Distribution Channel (Offline and Online), and Geography (APAC, North America, Europe, Middle East and Africa, and South America) Key companies profiled Archer Daniels Midland Co., Arla Foods amba, Campbell Soup Co., Danone SA, Del Monte Pacific Ltd., Fonterra Cooperative Group Ltd., General Mills Inc., Hildur Functional Foods Pvt. Ltd., Kellogg Co., Keurig Dr Pepper Inc., Nestle SA, Otsuka Holdings Co. Ltd., PepsiCo Inc., Suntory Holdings Ltd., T.C. Pharmaceutical Industries Co. Ltd., The Coca Cola Co., The Kraft Heinz Co., Tyson Foods Inc., Unilever PLC, and Zbiotics Inc. Key Market Trends Fueling Growth The functional foods and beverages market is experiencing significant growth due to increasing consumer awareness of their health benefits. These products, including oats, tea, yogurt, and superfruits, are marketed for their ability to reduce the risk of chronic diseases and improve cognitive health, heart health, and weight management. Functional beverages, such as herbal teas, offer additional benefits like improved immunity, digestion, and energy boost. Examples include Yerba mate, Hibiscus tea, Lemongrass tea, and Chamomile tea, which provide antioxidants, vitamins, and various health advantages. This trend is expected to continue driving the growth of the global functional foods and beverages market. The functional foods and beverages market is experiencing significant growth, driven by consumer preferences for healthier options. Daily necessities such as fruits, vegetables, and dairy products are in high demand due to their nutritional benefits. Proteins, probiotics, and fibers are popular functional ingredients. Fruit and vegetable juices, functional waters, and energy drinks are trending beverage categories. Probiotics and functional snacks are also gaining popularity. Sustainability and eco-friendliness are key considerations for many consumers. The market is expected to continue growing, driven by increasing health awareness and consumer demand for convenient, nutritious options. Market Challenges The functional foods and beverages market faces skepticism due to concerns over their efficiency and potential health risks. A study by H. Virtanen et al. revealed that excessive energy drink consumption can negatively impact oral glucose tolerance in adolescents. Some popular energy drink ingredients have side effects and exceed recommended harmful chemical levels. The mixing of energy-boosting and blood pressure-lowering beverages can cause adverse effects. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention warns that consuming alcohol with caffeinated energy drinks increases binge drinking risk. Manufacturers must label products with warnings to prevent harmful effects from mixing different types of functional drinks. These factors may hinder market growth during the forecast period. The Functional Foods and Beverages market faces several challenges. These include the need for consistent product quality and safety, especially with the increasing demand for organic and natural products. Another challenge is the rising consumer awareness and preference for healthier options, leading to a higher demand for functional ingredients like probiotics, fiber, and antioxidants. Additionally, the market is witnessing intense competition, with new players entering the market frequently. Regulations and compliance with various food safety standards also pose a significant challenge. Furthermore, the market is witnessing a shift towards sustainable and eco-friendly packaging solutions. Overall, the market requires continuous innovation and adaptation to meet evolving consumer preferences and regulatory requirements. Research report provides comprehensive data on impact of trend, driver and challenges - Download a Sample Report Segment Overview Product 1.1 Functional foods 1.2 Functional beverages Distribution Channel 2.1 Offline 2.2 Online Geography 3.1 APAC 3.2 South America 1.1 Functional foods- The functional foods and beverages market is experiencing consistent growth due to product and ingredient innovations. Factors such as the aging population, health-conscious adults, and concerned parents are driving demand. However, strict regulations on health claims pose a challenge. Consumers prefer organic functional foods due to their higher nutritional value and simple processing methods. Organic certification bodies ensure compliance with organic conditions and standards. Awareness of the health benefits of functional foods is increasing, fueling market growth. For more information on market segmentation with geographical analysis including forecast (2024-2028) and historic data (2018 - 2022) - Download a Sample Report Research Analysis The Functional Foods and Beverages Market encompasses a wide range of products that go beyond basic nutritional value, addressing consumers' needs for preventive healthcare and improved gut health. Dairy products, such as yogurt, play a significant role due to their functional benefits derived from Lactobacilli, proteins, and fatty acids. Functional dairy products are essential value-added food categories, as they contribute to immunity enhancement and digestive function. The market is influenced by raw ingredient sourcing, farming practices, and processing techniques, adapting to evolving lifestyles and the retail sector's demands. Consumers increasingly seek functional foods and beverages to combat sedentary lifestyles, Type 2 diabetes, and infections, making this market a vital segment in the food & beverage sector. Market Research Overview The Functional Foods and Beverages market encompasses products that provide health and nutritional benefits beyond their basic nutritional functions. These include foods and beverages fortified with vitamins, minerals, proteins, and other functional ingredients. The market is driven by increasing consumer awareness and preference for healthier options, as well as the growing trend of convenience and on-the-go consumption. The market is segmented based on product types, such as dairy products, fruits and vegetables, grains and cereals, and beverages. The market is also influenced by factors such as demographic trends, regulatory policies, and technological advancements. The future outlook for the market is positive, with increasing demand for functional foods and beverages in both developed and emerging markets. Table of Contents: 1 Executive Summary 2 Market Landscape 3 Market Sizing 4 Historic Market Size 5 Five Forces Analysis 6 Market Segmentation Product Functional Foods Functional Beverages Distribution Channel Offline Online Geography APAC Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. Their research and analysis focuses on emerging market trends and provides actionable insights to help businesses identify market opportunities and develop effective strategies to optimize their market positions. With over 500 specialized analysts, Technavio's report library consists of more than 17,000 reports and counting, covering 800 technologies, spanning across 50 countries. Their client base consists of enterprises of all sizes, including more than 100 Fortune 500 companies. This growing client base relies on Technavio's comprehensive coverage, extensive research, and actionable market insights to identify opportunities in existing and potential markets and assess their competitive positions within changing market scenarios.

entertainment

Functional Foods and Beverages Market size is set to grow by USD 141.4 billion from 2024-2028, Product innovations to boost the market growth, Technavio. June 3, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The global functional foods and beverages market size is estimated to grow by USD 141.4 billion from 2024-2028, according to Technavio. The market is estimated to grow at a CAGR of almost 7.45% during the forecast period. For comprehensive forecast and historic data on regions, market segments, customer landscape, and companies- Product (Functional foods and Functional beverages), Distribution Channel (Offline and Online), and Geography (APAC, North America, Europe, Middle East and Africa, and South America) Key companies profiled Archer Daniels Midland Co., Arla Foods amba, Campbell Soup Co., Danone SA, Del Monte Pacific Ltd., Fonterra Cooperative Group Ltd., General Mills Inc., Hildur Functional Foods Pvt. Ltd., Kellogg Co., Keurig Dr Pepper Inc., Nestle SA, Otsuka Holdings Co. Ltd., PepsiCo Inc., Suntory Holdings Ltd., T.C. Pharmaceutical Industries Co. Ltd., The Coca Cola Co., The Kraft Heinz Co., Tyson Foods Inc., Unilever PLC, and Zbiotics Inc. Key Market Trends Fueling Growth The functional foods and beverages market is experiencing significant growth due to increasing consumer awareness of their health benefits. These products, including oats, tea, yogurt, and superfruits, are marketed for their ability to reduce the risk of chronic diseases and improve cognitive health, heart health, and weight management. Functional beverages, such as herbal teas, offer additional benefits like improved immunity, digestion, and energy boost. Examples include Yerba mate, Hibiscus tea, Lemongrass tea, and Chamomile tea, which provide antioxidants, vitamins, and various health advantages. This trend is expected to continue driving the growth of the global functional foods and beverages market. The functional foods and beverages market is experiencing significant growth, driven by consumer preferences for healthier options. Daily necessities such as fruits, vegetables, and dairy products are in high demand due to their nutritional benefits. Proteins, probiotics, and fibers are popular functional ingredients. Fruit and vegetable juices, functional waters, and energy drinks are trending beverage categories. Probiotics and functional snacks are also gaining popularity. Sustainability and eco-friendliness are key considerations for many consumers. The market is expected to continue growing, driven by increasing health awareness and consumer demand for convenient, nutritious options. Market Challenges The functional foods and beverages market faces skepticism due to concerns over their efficiency and potential health risks. A study by H. Virtanen et al. revealed that excessive energy drink consumption can negatively impact oral glucose tolerance in adolescents. Some popular energy drink ingredients have side effects and exceed recommended harmful chemical levels. The mixing of energy-boosting and blood pressure-lowering beverages can cause adverse effects. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention warns that consuming alcohol with caffeinated energy drinks increases binge drinking risk. Manufacturers must label products with warnings to prevent harmful effects from mixing different types of functional drinks. These factors may hinder market growth during the forecast period. The Functional Foods and Beverages market faces several challenges. These include the need for consistent product quality and safety, especially with the increasing demand for organic and natural products. Another challenge is the rising consumer awareness and preference for healthier options, leading to a higher demand for functional ingredients like probiotics, fiber, and antioxidants. Additionally, the market is witnessing intense competition, with new players entering the market frequently. Regulations and compliance with various food safety standards also pose a significant challenge. Furthermore, the market is witnessing a shift towards sustainable and eco-friendly packaging solutions. Overall, the market requires continuous innovation and adaptation to meet evolving consumer preferences and regulatory requirements. Research report provides comprehensive data on impact of trend, driver and challenges - Download a Sample Report Segment Overview Product 1.1 Functional foods 1.2 Functional beverages Distribution Channel 2.1 Offline 2.2 Online Geography 3.1 APAC 3.2 South America 1.1 Functional foods- The functional foods and beverages market is experiencing consistent growth due to product and ingredient innovations. Factors such as the aging population, health-conscious adults, and concerned parents are driving demand. However, strict regulations on health claims pose a challenge. Consumers prefer organic functional foods due to their higher nutritional value and simple processing methods. Organic certification bodies ensure compliance with organic conditions and standards. Awareness of the health benefits of functional foods is increasing, fueling market growth. For more information on market segmentation with geographical analysis including forecast (2024-2028) and historic data (2018 - 2022) - Download a Sample Report Research Analysis The Functional Foods and Beverages Market encompasses a wide range of products that go beyond basic nutritional value, addressing consumers' needs for preventive healthcare and improved gut health. Dairy products, such as yogurt, play a significant role due to their functional benefits derived from Lactobacilli, proteins, and fatty acids. Functional dairy products are essential value-added food categories, as they contribute to immunity enhancement and digestive function. The market is influenced by raw ingredient sourcing, farming practices, and processing techniques, adapting to evolving lifestyles and the retail sector's demands. Consumers increasingly seek functional foods and beverages to combat sedentary lifestyles, Type 2 diabetes, and infections, making this market a vital segment in the food & beverage sector. Market Research Overview The Functional Foods and Beverages market encompasses products that provide health and nutritional benefits beyond their basic nutritional functions. These include foods and beverages fortified with vitamins, minerals, proteins, and other functional ingredients. The market is driven by increasing consumer awareness and preference for healthier options, as well as the growing trend of convenience and on-the-go consumption. The market is segmented based on product types, such as dairy products, fruits and vegetables, grains and cereals, and beverages. The market is also influenced by factors such as demographic trends, regulatory policies, and technological advancements. The future outlook for the market is positive, with increasing demand for functional foods and beverages in both developed and emerging markets. Table of Contents: 1 Executive Summary 2 Market Landscape 3 Market Sizing 4 Historic Market Size 5 Five Forces Analysis 6 Market Segmentation Product Functional Foods Functional Beverages Distribution Channel Offline Online Geography APAC Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. Their research and analysis focuses on emerging market trends and provides actionable insights to help businesses identify market opportunities and develop effective strategies to optimize their market positions. With over 500 specialized analysts, Technavio's report library consists of more than 17,000 reports and counting, covering 800 technologies, spanning across 50 countries. Their client base consists of enterprises of all sizes, including more than 100 Fortune 500 companies. This growing client base relies on Technavio's comprehensive coverage, extensive research, and actionable market insights to identify opportunities in existing and potential markets and assess their competitive positions within changing market scenarios.

TikTok users being fed misleading election news, BBC finds

Young voters in key election battlegrounds are being recommended fake AI-generated videos featuring party leaders, misinformation, and clips littered with abusive comments, the BBC has found. With TikTok emerging as a new social media battleground in this election, the political parties have begun a war of memes on the app in a bid to reach its audience of young voters. But a BBC project to investigate the content promoted by social media algorithms has found - alongside funny montages - young people on TikTok are being exposed to misleading and divisive content. It is being shared by everyone from students and political activists to comedians and anonymous bot-like accounts. Videos which have racked up hundreds of thousands of views have promoted unfounded rumours that a major scandal prompted Rishi Sunak to call an early election and the baseless claim that Sir Keir Starmer was responsible for the failure to prosecute serial paedophile Jimmy Savile. Satirical, fake AI-generated clips show Rishi Sunak declaring, "Please don't vote us out, we would be proper gutted!" and making unevidenced claims about how the Conservative leader is spending public money - including how he will send his "mates loads of dosh". Watch: Marianna Spring explains the Undercover Voters project in 60 seconds Other AI-generated videos share misleading claims about his national service pledge for 18-year-olds, suggesting young people would be sent to current war zones in Ukraine and Gaza. Some of these are described as satire or parody in captions, but the comments suggest some users are confused about which claims are factual. TikTok told the BBC it had increased its investment in countering misinformation for the UK general election, including adding a fact-checking expert to existing resources and employing AI-labelling technology. The videos were spotted as part of the BBC's Undercover Voters project, which has created profiles for 24 fictional people on all the major social media sites, based on In a satirical deepfake, Rishi Sunak appeared to say he would be "proper gutted" if he lost - but some users were confused about whether it was real The fictional profiles represent a range of voters in battleground constituencies across the UK, giving an insight into what content is promoted to different types of people. The profiles are private, with no friends. They just like, follow and watch content relevant to their character traits informed by the Natcen research. I examined the feeds of the profiles of three of these fictional voters in the former "red wall" constituency of Bishop Auckland, a target for Labour which is currently held by the Conservatives - and where our Undercover Voters are younger. Their social media feeds revealed that, while other sites have also experienced a flurry of political content, TikTok had the most lively conversation, particularly among younger voters. TikTok has boomed since the last election. According to media regulator Ofcom, it was the fastest-growing source of news in the UK for the second year in a row in 2023 - used by 10% of adults in this way. One in 10 teenagers say it is their most important news source. TikTok is engaging a new generation in the democratic process. Whether you use the social media app or not, what is unfolding on its site could shape narratives about the election and its candidates - including in ways that may be unfounded. A video made reference to the unfounded story that Sir Keir Starmer was involved in the decision not to prosecute serial paedophile Jimmy Savile Several other videos repeated the unfounded allegations about Sir Keir and Jimmy Savile. Other videos Jack was served on his feed included clips with threats in the comments about "euthanizing" Rishi Sunak and racist remarks about him. Messages such as "vote Reform UK" were shared repeatedly in the comments of many videos, much more than those I saw in support of any other party. TikTok users have begun to notice the comments, with many calling the posters "Reform bots", suggesting they could be fake, automated accounts. I contacted some of the commenters who had photos and names on their profiles, and they told me they were real people based in the UK with no official affiliation to Reform UK and with no encouragement or instruction from the party. But others were anonymous with no profile image and numerical usernames - common hallmarks of fake accounts - and they did not respond to my messages. Repeated comments supporting Reform UK have prompted the nickname "Reform bots" Whether they are real people or not, their comments can create the impression that their preferred party has greater support. Another Undercover Voter character based in Bishop Auckland, 25-year-old Chloe, was created to have no prior interest in politics. But about one in 10 posts on her TikTok feed was a political meme or funny video, including official content coming from the Labour Party, Conservatives, Liberal Democrats and Reform UK. These include Rishi Sunak's first TikTok on the Conservatives' new account about national service, clarifying that he is not forcing all 18-year-olds to join the army. One post claimed without evidence that the election had been called because a scandal about Rishi Sunak was "about to erupt" A third Undercover Voter named Louise - in her 50s and politically undecided - was pushed more TikToks targeting political leaders with abusive comments, as well as satirical montages and parody videos about policy announcements such as national service. I tracked down some of the people behind the videos and posts shown to our Undercover Voters. One 16-year-old from the south of England, who made a satirical edit of that first Rishi Sunak TikTok about national service, said she was surprised how quickly her content took off. "I didn't specifically create this account for the election and the reason I made the TikTok initially was just for a joke - I didn't expect to get over 400k bloody views," she said, adding that she is not affiliated with any party and has not received any money for creating the TikTok. "Social media really is the only platform for young people to have a voice nowadays in my opinion." She said she knows satirical content can be "controversial" and she understands how her video "could mislead people" but would hope people could tell it was supposed to be a bit of fun. There are 24 Undercover Voters in eight consituencies across the UK. For this story, we looked at three in Bishop Auckland Dozens of other users I messaged who are creating this content are also in their late teens or early 20s, and want to get involved in creating political videos to engage other people their age in the election. They all tell me that while they may support a political party, they have not been paid for their posts and are not officially affiliated with any of the campaigns. One politics student tells me they "don't worry about misleading people because the parties mislead others with their opinions about other parties". Another person based in Coventry, who shares his videos about Reform UK, tells me he hopes to "boost their popularity in an unofficial way" and says he set up his account back in February. He say he is a member of the party and has not received any money for making his TikToks. He is concerned that satirical content - including his own - might unintentionally mislead people on TikTok. His account was restricted by TikTok for posting spam. A spokesperson for TikTok told the BBC that it had increased its investment "in efforts to ensure reliable information can be found on TikTok", launching a "UK Election Centre with a fact-checking expert" and adopting an "industry-leading AI labelling technology".

world,uk

TikTok users being fed misleading election news, BBC finds. Young voters in key election battlegrounds are being recommended fake AI-generated videos featuring party leaders, misinformation, and clips littered with abusive comments, the BBC has found. With TikTok emerging as a new social media battleground in this election, the political parties have begun a war of memes on the app in a bid to reach its audience of young voters. But a BBC project to investigate the content promoted by social media algorithms has found - alongside funny montages - young people on TikTok are being exposed to misleading and divisive content. It is being shared by everyone from students and political activists to comedians and anonymous bot-like accounts. Videos which have racked up hundreds of thousands of views have promoted unfounded rumours that a major scandal prompted Rishi Sunak to call an early election and the baseless claim that Sir Keir Starmer was responsible for the failure to prosecute serial paedophile Jimmy Savile. Satirical, fake AI-generated clips show Rishi Sunak declaring, "Please don't vote us out, we would be proper gutted!" and making unevidenced claims about how the Conservative leader is spending public money - including how he will send his "mates loads of dosh". Watch: Marianna Spring explains the Undercover Voters project in 60 seconds Other AI-generated videos share misleading claims about his national service pledge for 18-year-olds, suggesting young people would be sent to current war zones in Ukraine and Gaza. Some of these are described as satire or parody in captions, but the comments suggest some users are confused about which claims are factual. TikTok told the BBC it had increased its investment in countering misinformation for the UK general election, including adding a fact-checking expert to existing resources and employing AI-labelling technology. The videos were spotted as part of the BBC's Undercover Voters project, which has created profiles for 24 fictional people on all the major social media sites, based on In a satirical deepfake, Rishi Sunak appeared to say he would be "proper gutted" if he lost - but some users were confused about whether it was real The fictional profiles represent a range of voters in battleground constituencies across the UK, giving an insight into what content is promoted to different types of people. The profiles are private, with no friends. They just like, follow and watch content relevant to their character traits informed by the Natcen research. I examined the feeds of the profiles of three of these fictional voters in the former "red wall" constituency of Bishop Auckland, a target for Labour which is currently held by the Conservatives - and where our Undercover Voters are younger. Their social media feeds revealed that, while other sites have also experienced a flurry of political content, TikTok had the most lively conversation, particularly among younger voters. TikTok has boomed since the last election. According to media regulator Ofcom, it was the fastest-growing source of news in the UK for the second year in a row in 2023 - used by 10% of adults in this way. One in 10 teenagers say it is their most important news source. TikTok is engaging a new generation in the democratic process. Whether you use the social media app or not, what is unfolding on its site could shape narratives about the election and its candidates - including in ways that may be unfounded. A video made reference to the unfounded story that Sir Keir Starmer was involved in the decision not to prosecute serial paedophile Jimmy Savile Several other videos repeated the unfounded allegations about Sir Keir and Jimmy Savile. Other videos Jack was served on his feed included clips with threats in the comments about "euthanizing" Rishi Sunak and racist remarks about him. Messages such as "vote Reform UK" were shared repeatedly in the comments of many videos, much more than those I saw in support of any other party. TikTok users have begun to notice the comments, with many calling the posters "Reform bots", suggesting they could be fake, automated accounts. I contacted some of the commenters who had photos and names on their profiles, and they told me they were real people based in the UK with no official affiliation to Reform UK and with no encouragement or instruction from the party. But others were anonymous with no profile image and numerical usernames - common hallmarks of fake accounts - and they did not respond to my messages. Repeated comments supporting Reform UK have prompted the nickname "Reform bots" Whether they are real people or not, their comments can create the impression that their preferred party has greater support. Another Undercover Voter character based in Bishop Auckland, 25-year-old Chloe, was created to have no prior interest in politics. But about one in 10 posts on her TikTok feed was a political meme or funny video, including official content coming from the Labour Party, Conservatives, Liberal Democrats and Reform UK. These include Rishi Sunak's first TikTok on the Conservatives' new account about national service, clarifying that he is not forcing all 18-year-olds to join the army. One post claimed without evidence that the election had been called because a scandal about Rishi Sunak was "about to erupt" A third Undercover Voter named Louise - in her 50s and politically undecided - was pushed more TikToks targeting political leaders with abusive comments, as well as satirical montages and parody videos about policy announcements such as national service. I tracked down some of the people behind the videos and posts shown to our Undercover Voters. One 16-year-old from the south of England, who made a satirical edit of that first Rishi Sunak TikTok about national service, said she was surprised how quickly her content took off. "I didn't specifically create this account for the election and the reason I made the TikTok initially was just for a joke - I didn't expect to get over 400k bloody views," she said, adding that she is not affiliated with any party and has not received any money for creating the TikTok. "Social media really is the only platform for young people to have a voice nowadays in my opinion." She said she knows satirical content can be "controversial" and she understands how her video "could mislead people" but would hope people could tell it was supposed to be a bit of fun. There are 24 Undercover Voters in eight consituencies across the UK. For this story, we looked at three in Bishop Auckland Dozens of other users I messaged who are creating this content are also in their late teens or early 20s, and want to get involved in creating political videos to engage other people their age in the election. They all tell me that while they may support a political party, they have not been paid for their posts and are not officially affiliated with any of the campaigns. One politics student tells me they "don't worry about misleading people because the parties mislead others with their opinions about other parties". Another person based in Coventry, who shares his videos about Reform UK, tells me he hopes to "boost their popularity in an unofficial way" and says he set up his account back in February. He say he is a member of the party and has not received any money for making his TikToks. He is concerned that satirical content - including his own - might unintentionally mislead people on TikTok. His account was restricted by TikTok for posting spam. A spokesperson for TikTok told the BBC that it had increased its investment "in efforts to ensure reliable information can be found on TikTok", launching a "UK Election Centre with a fact-checking expert" and adopting an "industry-leading AI labelling technology".

Sourcepass is named in the prestigious 2024 Channel Futures MSP501 rankings

June 20, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Sourcepass, an innovative IT Services and Cybersecurity provider, has been named as one of the world's top-performing managed service providers in the prestigious 2024 Channel Futures MSP 501 rankings. The Channel Futures MSP 501 list, a technology industry benchmark, ranks companies based on their growth, profitability, and innovation. The Channel Futures MSP 501 survey uses a quantitative methodology to rank companies based on their annual revenue, profitability measured by EBITDA, and recurring revenue. MSPs that qualify for the list must also pass a rigorous review conducted by the Channel Futures research team and editors, which weighs financial performance according to long-term health and viability, commitment to recurring revenue and operational efficiency. Channel Futures is pleased to name Sourcepass to the 2024 MSP 501. "Being named to the 2024 Channel Futures MSP 501 list is a testament to the dedication and innovation of our entire team," said Chuck Canton, CEO of Sourcepass. "This recognition demonstrates our commitment to our clients and our role in driving their successes. We are honored to be included among the best in the industry and will continue to strive for excellence." This year's list is one of the most competitive in the survey's history. Winners will be recognized on the Channel Futures website and honored during a special ceremony at MSP Summit, $25 billion with average growth or recurring revenue of 19%. These are truly the best of the best. Many of their services and technology offerings focus on customer needs in the areas of AI, cloud, security, collaboration, networking, help desk and remote monitoring and management.

business

Sourcepass is named in the prestigious 2024 Channel Futures MSP501 rankings. June 20, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Sourcepass, an innovative IT Services and Cybersecurity provider, has been named as one of the world's top-performing managed service providers in the prestigious 2024 Channel Futures MSP 501 rankings. The Channel Futures MSP 501 list, a technology industry benchmark, ranks companies based on their growth, profitability, and innovation. The Channel Futures MSP 501 survey uses a quantitative methodology to rank companies based on their annual revenue, profitability measured by EBITDA, and recurring revenue. MSPs that qualify for the list must also pass a rigorous review conducted by the Channel Futures research team and editors, which weighs financial performance according to long-term health and viability, commitment to recurring revenue and operational efficiency. Channel Futures is pleased to name Sourcepass to the 2024 MSP 501. "Being named to the 2024 Channel Futures MSP 501 list is a testament to the dedication and innovation of our entire team," said Chuck Canton, CEO of Sourcepass. "This recognition demonstrates our commitment to our clients and our role in driving their successes. We are honored to be included among the best in the industry and will continue to strive for excellence." This year's list is one of the most competitive in the survey's history. Winners will be recognized on the Channel Futures website and honored during a special ceremony at MSP Summit, $25 billion with average growth or recurring revenue of 19%. These are truly the best of the best. Many of their services and technology offerings focus on customer needs in the areas of AI, cloud, security, collaboration, networking, help desk and remote monitoring and management.

Capital gains tax changes could lead to 'brain drain,' harm productivity as some fear tech exodus

Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland laid out plans for the inclusion rate on all annual capital gains for corporations and trusts — as well as capital gains above $250,000 for individuals — to rise to two-thirds from one half through amendments to the Income Tax Act, effective June 25, 2024. John Ruffolo, managing partner of Maverix Private Equity and founder of OMERS Ventures, said there may be several unintended consequences of the tax changes, including scores of innovators leaving Canada. "The job and wealth creators in this country are the scale-ups, which would hopefully far exceed the caps," he said, adding that the tax change is also likely to result in a decrease in capital available in Canada to invest in funds and innovators. Ruffolo predicted a dire outcome. Then, if a startup is successful, much of the initial founders' gains, which are captured via equity, will be taxed away when the time comes to sell. Economists at Toronto-Dominion Bank said the federal government partially offset negative impacts of the capital gains changes by raising lifetime capital gains exemptions as well as introducing a progressive, graduated rate for entrepreneurs — but they concluded this doesn't go far enough to remove a disincentive to do business in Canada. "A higher tax on divestment could very well be the straw that breaks the camel's back and pushes that new firm elsewhere in a globally competitive environment," wrote the group, led by chief economist Beata Caranci, in report published following Tuesday's budget. "In our current economic environment, it is at best unhelpful in promoting capital investment that Canada desperately needs." Entrepreneurs are not looking to sacrifice everything to make $250,000 — their dreams are much more ambitious than that Adam Felesky Some private equity and venture players said the tax changes will also make it difficult to attract skilled tech workers to Canada, something that is already a challenge. "Brain drain will re-emerge," said Adam Felesky, co-founder and CEO of Portage, a global investment platform focused on fintech and financial services, who concurred with others that the tax changes create a disincentive for innovators to set up their businesses in Canada. "Entrepreneurs are not looking to sacrifice everything to make $250,000 — their dreams are much more ambitious than that," he said. "Why not start in a more favourable jurisdiction from the get-go?" He said a typical entrepreneur would face a 33 per cent tax increase once they breached the $250,000 cap as a result of budget's increase in the capital gains inclusion rate. He based his estimate on a tax bill of $33 per $100 of gains for someone in a 50 per cent tax bracket, compared to the $25 they would have paid when the inclusion rate was set at half rather than two-thirds of the capital gain. Tobi Lutke, founder and CEO of Shopify, one of Canada's largest and most successful tech firms, reposted a handful of messages critical of the tax change on X (formerly Twitter) after the budget was released. He topped one post with the words "Message from a friend" and followed that with: "Canada has heard rumors about innovation and is determined to will leave no stone unturned in deterring it."

tech

Capital gains tax changes could lead to 'brain drain,' harm productivity as some fear tech exodus. Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland laid out plans for the inclusion rate on all annual capital gains for corporations and trusts — as well as capital gains above $250,000 for individuals — to rise to two-thirds from one half through amendments to the Income Tax Act, effective June 25, 2024. John Ruffolo, managing partner of Maverix Private Equity and founder of OMERS Ventures, said there may be several unintended consequences of the tax changes, including scores of innovators leaving Canada. "The job and wealth creators in this country are the scale-ups, which would hopefully far exceed the caps," he said, adding that the tax change is also likely to result in a decrease in capital available in Canada to invest in funds and innovators. Ruffolo predicted a dire outcome. Then, if a startup is successful, much of the initial founders' gains, which are captured via equity, will be taxed away when the time comes to sell. Economists at Toronto-Dominion Bank said the federal government partially offset negative impacts of the capital gains changes by raising lifetime capital gains exemptions as well as introducing a progressive, graduated rate for entrepreneurs — but they concluded this doesn't go far enough to remove a disincentive to do business in Canada. "A higher tax on divestment could very well be the straw that breaks the camel's back and pushes that new firm elsewhere in a globally competitive environment," wrote the group, led by chief economist Beata Caranci, in report published following Tuesday's budget. "In our current economic environment, it is at best unhelpful in promoting capital investment that Canada desperately needs." Entrepreneurs are not looking to sacrifice everything to make $250,000 — their dreams are much more ambitious than that Adam Felesky Some private equity and venture players said the tax changes will also make it difficult to attract skilled tech workers to Canada, something that is already a challenge. "Brain drain will re-emerge," said Adam Felesky, co-founder and CEO of Portage, a global investment platform focused on fintech and financial services, who concurred with others that the tax changes create a disincentive for innovators to set up their businesses in Canada. "Entrepreneurs are not looking to sacrifice everything to make $250,000 — their dreams are much more ambitious than that," he said. "Why not start in a more favourable jurisdiction from the get-go?" He said a typical entrepreneur would face a 33 per cent tax increase once they breached the $250,000 cap as a result of budget's increase in the capital gains inclusion rate. He based his estimate on a tax bill of $33 per $100 of gains for someone in a 50 per cent tax bracket, compared to the $25 they would have paid when the inclusion rate was set at half rather than two-thirds of the capital gain. Tobi Lutke, founder and CEO of Shopify, one of Canada's largest and most successful tech firms, reposted a handful of messages critical of the tax change on X (formerly Twitter) after the budget was released. He topped one post with the words "Message from a friend" and followed that with: "Canada has heard rumors about innovation and is determined to will leave no stone unturned in deterring it."

Hudson's Bay Company to buy luxury retailer Neiman Marcus in $2.65B US deal

Hudson's Bay Company to buy luxury retailer Neiman Marcus in $2.65B US deal Hudson's Bay Co. has announced a deal to buy luxury department store rival Neiman Marcus for $2.65 billion US. Posted: Jul 04, 2024 4:10 PM EDT | Last Updated: 3 hours ago A Neiman Marcus store is shown in a photo. Hudson's Bay Co. has announced a deal to buy luxury department store rival Neiman Marcus for $2.65 billion US. (M. Spencer Green/Associated Press) Social Sharing Canadian retailer Hudson's Bay Co. will buy luxury department store rival Neiman Marcus for $2.65 billion US, the company said Thursday. The deal was announced after months of speculation that HBC would buy the chain, whose website lists 36 U.S. locations selling designer apparel, accessories and housewares. HBC plans to group Neiman Marcus with its other international assets, including Saks Fifth Avenue and Bergdorf Goodman, into a new entity called Saks Global. Those labels will continue to operate under their existing names. HBC is positioning Saks Global as a collection of international high-end brands. "We're thrilled to take this step in bringing together these iconic luxury names," said Richard Baker, HBC's chief executive, in a press release. HBC sells Lord & Taylor to fashion rental chain Le Tote for $100M US Canadian retailer Simons is expanding. Can it succeed where its peers couldn't? As for Hudson's Bay itself, the company says it intends to re-establish HBC's Canadian business of stores and online retailing as a stand-alone entity, taking on less debt and relying more on cash. HBC has spent recent years working to revamp its operations after closing its home decor chain Home Outfitters in 2019, the same year it sold department store chain Lord & Taylor to fashion rental subscription company Le Tote Inc. Amazon's inclusion 'makes this deal interesting', analyst says "When it applies to Hudson's Bay Company specifically, I haven't seen really the presence of any retail strategy, including even the most basic elements of customer service and store operations and maintenance," said retail analyst Doug Stephens in an interview with CBC News. Stephens said he's most intrigued by one aspect of the arrangement: Amazon has invested a minority stake in Saks Global as part of the deal, as well as software company Salesforce. "Amazon has been trying to beat down the door of luxury for at least the last [six] to seven years. They've been making a really concerted effort to try to crack the luxury market, but have been unsuccessful," he said. Department stores have also struggled to perform online as businesses shift to e-commerce, he noted. The marrying of HBC, Amazon and Salesforce, the last of which could help the company manage customer relations and improve brand loyalty, "makes this deal interesting to me," Stephens said. The Wall Street Journal first

business

Hudson's Bay Company to buy luxury retailer Neiman Marcus in $2.65B US deal. Hudson's Bay Company to buy luxury retailer Neiman Marcus in $2.65B US deal Hudson's Bay Co. has announced a deal to buy luxury department store rival Neiman Marcus for $2.65 billion US. Posted: Jul 04, 2024 4:10 PM EDT | Last Updated: 3 hours ago A Neiman Marcus store is shown in a photo. Hudson's Bay Co. has announced a deal to buy luxury department store rival Neiman Marcus for $2.65 billion US. (M. Spencer Green/Associated Press) Social Sharing Canadian retailer Hudson's Bay Co. will buy luxury department store rival Neiman Marcus for $2.65 billion US, the company said Thursday. The deal was announced after months of speculation that HBC would buy the chain, whose website lists 36 U.S. locations selling designer apparel, accessories and housewares. HBC plans to group Neiman Marcus with its other international assets, including Saks Fifth Avenue and Bergdorf Goodman, into a new entity called Saks Global. Those labels will continue to operate under their existing names. HBC is positioning Saks Global as a collection of international high-end brands. "We're thrilled to take this step in bringing together these iconic luxury names," said Richard Baker, HBC's chief executive, in a press release. HBC sells Lord & Taylor to fashion rental chain Le Tote for $100M US Canadian retailer Simons is expanding. Can it succeed where its peers couldn't? As for Hudson's Bay itself, the company says it intends to re-establish HBC's Canadian business of stores and online retailing as a stand-alone entity, taking on less debt and relying more on cash. HBC has spent recent years working to revamp its operations after closing its home decor chain Home Outfitters in 2019, the same year it sold department store chain Lord & Taylor to fashion rental subscription company Le Tote Inc. Amazon's inclusion 'makes this deal interesting', analyst says "When it applies to Hudson's Bay Company specifically, I haven't seen really the presence of any retail strategy, including even the most basic elements of customer service and store operations and maintenance," said retail analyst Doug Stephens in an interview with CBC News. Stephens said he's most intrigued by one aspect of the arrangement: Amazon has invested a minority stake in Saks Global as part of the deal, as well as software company Salesforce. "Amazon has been trying to beat down the door of luxury for at least the last [six] to seven years. They've been making a really concerted effort to try to crack the luxury market, but have been unsuccessful," he said. Department stores have also struggled to perform online as businesses shift to e-commerce, he noted. The marrying of HBC, Amazon and Salesforce, the last of which could help the company manage customer relations and improve brand loyalty, "makes this deal interesting to me," Stephens said. The Wall Street Journal first

Hamilton man's car taken at a police stop, mistakenly marked as 'wrecked.' Now he wants thousands back in fees

This Hamilton man's car was marked as 'wrecked' and taken at police stop. How mistake happened is a mystery Members of a Hamilton family are looking for accountability — and their money back — after their vehicle was registered as scrapped, resulting in a police stop, the temporary loss of their vehicle and nearly $5,000 in fees. Social Sharing Members of a Hamilton family are looking for accountability — and their money back — after their vehicle was listed as being sent to a scrap yard, resulting in a police stop, the temporary loss of their vehicle and nearly $5,000 in fees. "Everyone keeps saying, 'We don't know what happened. We can't tell you what happened,'" Gerben Vanden Heuvel told CBC Hamilton. "We don't even know a simple answer of who [made] the mistake yet, which is super frustrating that no one is wanting or willing to fess up." Vanden Heuvel's odyssey of detective work, documentation, emails and affidavits began around 7:30 a.m. on Feb. 23. Vanden Heuvel's car was towed and impounded in February. (Submitted by Gerben Vanden Heuvel) The Stoney Creek resident said he was driving to work when a police officer pulled him over and told him, according to information tied to his licence plate, he was not the registered owner of his Toyota SUV and the vehicle was listed as wrecked. Vanden Heuvel said this confused him because he leased the car in 2018, purchased it from his dealership in 2021 and had been driving it since. He said he showed the officer his ownership papers, but the officer explained the vehicle was registered to a local business called Mike's Auto Parts & Scrap Cars, and told him to get out. Other provinces inspect vehicles with problematic VINs, why not Ontario? The police had Vanden Heuvel's car towed, charged him with using a plate not authorized for a vehicle and gave him a court summons. CBC Hamilton has viewed a copy of that ticket. Hamilton police spokesperson Krista-Lee Ernst confirmed the incident occurred, saying the officer had checked Vanden Heuvel's plate with an automated reader and found it marked "unattached." When the officer checked the plate and vehicle identification number (VIN) in the Police Automated Registration Information System, they found it was registered to someone else, prompting the ticket. This is the proper protocol, Ernst said, adding that generally, anyone looking to have their vehicle, plate or licence record processed should go to a Service Ontario office. She said information entered there is transmitted to the provincial Ministry of Transportation, which shares data with the police system that officers use to verify ownership and status. Later, Vanden Heuvel told CBC Hamilton his April court date was pushed ahead and eventually cancelled, with the city telling him it would be thrown out after further review. Car ownership switched to scrap business, deemed junk After the tow truck driver took his car on that February day, Vanden Heuvel said, he went to Service Ontario, where he spoke to a manager and explained the situation. The manager also tried to call Mike's Auto Parts in Stoney Creek, but didn't reach anyone, he said. According to a records search Vanden Heuvel shared with CBC Hamilton, his VIN history shows the SUV being transferred to him on July 16, 2017, the day he bought out his lease from Red Hill Toyota in Hamilton. That record shows the car being transferred to Mike's Auto Parts on Nov. 3, 2022. At some point in between, it shows the car marked as wrecked. I just want a conclusion to this not-fairy-tale story.​​​ ​​ - Gerben Vanden Heuvel "I did not transfer my VIN to Mike's Auto Parts," he wrote in an affidavit to Service Ontario. CBC Hamilton also has a copy of Vanden Heuvel's affidavit. Vanden Heuvel said he's at a loss to explain what happened and nobody he's spoken to has done so. He said the car has not been in an accident and the car was not wrecked, nor did he have a lien on it. Vanden Heuvel says his car hasn't been in an accident, but it was marked as wrecked and the ownership was transferred to a scrapyard. (Submitted by Gerben Vanden Heuvel) After visiting Service Ontario, Vanden Heuvel said, he went to Mike's Auto Parts, only to find the shop on Mud Street had been replaced by Kenny U-Pull, a junk cars and auto-parts business. A search of the Ontario Business Registry shows Mike's Auto Parts has been inactive since July 2020. Eventually, Vanden Heuvel said, he and his partner attempted to reach the business's former owners to get them to confirm they had no interest in his vehicle. However, he said, they did not produce the documentation he needed. On Thursday, CBC Hamilton emailed and called the former Mike's Auto Parts owners for comment but didn't received a response by time of publication. At a loss on what to do, Vanden Heuvel and his partner turned to their member of provincial parliament (MPP), Donna Skelly, for help. He said her team connected him to the Ministry of Transportation. Emails between Vanden Heuvel's partner, Czerny, and Skelly's office show a back and forth in which the couple were asked to provide information and get photos of their vehicle to prove it was not wrecked. An unnamed person with the ministry is cited as saying the November 2022 permit transfer was done correctly and it appears Mike's Auto Parts had the car's original permit "for reasons yet to be clarified." Eventually, the ministry asked for an affidavit outlining the situation and stating Vanden Heuvel is the owner of his vehicle. Then, on April 4 — about 40 days after the traffic stop — someone in the ministry "waved a magic wand" and he got his car back, Vanden Heuvel said. Skelly confirmed her office helped the couple, writing in an email that she was "relieved that the situation has been resolved." 'Frustrating' lack of accountability But for Vanden Heuvel, getting his car back wasn't the end. He said his family is out about $3,750 for towing and impounding fees, and had to spend about $350 to prepare the documents and pay the legal fees they needed to get the car back. He said he has also lost income by taking time off work and estimated the whole kerfuffle has cost about $5,000. Someone should pay him back, he said. He's just not sure who. There was no clerical error made on MTO's/Service Ontario's end. Our understanding is that the error was made when the registration was initially completed. - Ontario Ministry of Transportation "One of the most frustrating parts," Vanden Heuvel said, is nobody has taken responsibility for what happened. Skelly declined to comment on Vanden Heuvel's search for compensation. In an email, a spokesperson for the Ministry of Transportation told CBC Hamilton: "The ministry can confirm that there was no clerical error made on MTO's/Service Ontario's end. Our understanding is that the error was made when the registration was initially completed." They did not respond to followup questions seeking clarification. Praveen Senthinathan, a spokesperson for Ontario's Ministry of Public and Business Service Delivery, which is responsible for Service Ontario, also said Service Ontario did not make a mistake. His truck was stolen — twice. Authorities knew where it was. But it still took 17 days to get it back CBC Investigates Ontario drivers fight mystery 407 bills, parking tickets — likely from duplicated licence plates Neither ministry answered questions from CBC Hamilton about how this happened, who was to blame, why it took so long to fix the problem, whether Vanden Heuvel will be compensated or how they will prevent something similar from happening again. The manager of the company that owns Red Hill Toyota, Ilya Pinassi, told CBC Hamilton he's confident his team didn't make any mistakes when they sold Vanden Heuvel his car. Pinassi said a record check "clearly demonstrates Red Hill Toyota only once was involved with a change of ownership on this client's vehicle and that was when it was authorized by the client." He added that in his experience, it would be easy for someone to make a typo when entering a VIN number for an ownership transfer at some point after that. The mystery remains unsolved A recent Carfax vehicle history report on Vanden Heuvel's SUV shows a message stating that on Nov. 3, 2022, the vehicle was mistakenly issued a junk title, an error that was later corrected. It does not go into further detail. Vanden Heuvel said that message was not there when he first checked the system several weeks ago. CBC Hamilton requested comment from Carfax but did not hear back before publication.

canada

Hamilton man's car taken at a police stop, mistakenly marked as 'wrecked.' Now he wants thousands back in fees. This Hamilton man's car was marked as 'wrecked' and taken at police stop. How mistake happened is a mystery Members of a Hamilton family are looking for accountability — and their money back — after their vehicle was registered as scrapped, resulting in a police stop, the temporary loss of their vehicle and nearly $5,000 in fees. Social Sharing Members of a Hamilton family are looking for accountability — and their money back — after their vehicle was listed as being sent to a scrap yard, resulting in a police stop, the temporary loss of their vehicle and nearly $5,000 in fees. "Everyone keeps saying, 'We don't know what happened. We can't tell you what happened,'" Gerben Vanden Heuvel told CBC Hamilton. "We don't even know a simple answer of who [made] the mistake yet, which is super frustrating that no one is wanting or willing to fess up." Vanden Heuvel's odyssey of detective work, documentation, emails and affidavits began around 7:30 a.m. on Feb. 23. Vanden Heuvel's car was towed and impounded in February. (Submitted by Gerben Vanden Heuvel) The Stoney Creek resident said he was driving to work when a police officer pulled him over and told him, according to information tied to his licence plate, he was not the registered owner of his Toyota SUV and the vehicle was listed as wrecked. Vanden Heuvel said this confused him because he leased the car in 2018, purchased it from his dealership in 2021 and had been driving it since. He said he showed the officer his ownership papers, but the officer explained the vehicle was registered to a local business called Mike's Auto Parts & Scrap Cars, and told him to get out. Other provinces inspect vehicles with problematic VINs, why not Ontario? The police had Vanden Heuvel's car towed, charged him with using a plate not authorized for a vehicle and gave him a court summons. CBC Hamilton has viewed a copy of that ticket. Hamilton police spokesperson Krista-Lee Ernst confirmed the incident occurred, saying the officer had checked Vanden Heuvel's plate with an automated reader and found it marked "unattached." When the officer checked the plate and vehicle identification number (VIN) in the Police Automated Registration Information System, they found it was registered to someone else, prompting the ticket. This is the proper protocol, Ernst said, adding that generally, anyone looking to have their vehicle, plate or licence record processed should go to a Service Ontario office. She said information entered there is transmitted to the provincial Ministry of Transportation, which shares data with the police system that officers use to verify ownership and status. Later, Vanden Heuvel told CBC Hamilton his April court date was pushed ahead and eventually cancelled, with the city telling him it would be thrown out after further review. Car ownership switched to scrap business, deemed junk After the tow truck driver took his car on that February day, Vanden Heuvel said, he went to Service Ontario, where he spoke to a manager and explained the situation. The manager also tried to call Mike's Auto Parts in Stoney Creek, but didn't reach anyone, he said. According to a records search Vanden Heuvel shared with CBC Hamilton, his VIN history shows the SUV being transferred to him on July 16, 2017, the day he bought out his lease from Red Hill Toyota in Hamilton. That record shows the car being transferred to Mike's Auto Parts on Nov. 3, 2022. At some point in between, it shows the car marked as wrecked. I just want a conclusion to this not-fairy-tale story.​​​ ​​ - Gerben Vanden Heuvel "I did not transfer my VIN to Mike's Auto Parts," he wrote in an affidavit to Service Ontario. CBC Hamilton also has a copy of Vanden Heuvel's affidavit. Vanden Heuvel said he's at a loss to explain what happened and nobody he's spoken to has done so. He said the car has not been in an accident and the car was not wrecked, nor did he have a lien on it. Vanden Heuvel says his car hasn't been in an accident, but it was marked as wrecked and the ownership was transferred to a scrapyard. (Submitted by Gerben Vanden Heuvel) After visiting Service Ontario, Vanden Heuvel said, he went to Mike's Auto Parts, only to find the shop on Mud Street had been replaced by Kenny U-Pull, a junk cars and auto-parts business. A search of the Ontario Business Registry shows Mike's Auto Parts has been inactive since July 2020. Eventually, Vanden Heuvel said, he and his partner attempted to reach the business's former owners to get them to confirm they had no interest in his vehicle. However, he said, they did not produce the documentation he needed. On Thursday, CBC Hamilton emailed and called the former Mike's Auto Parts owners for comment but didn't received a response by time of publication. At a loss on what to do, Vanden Heuvel and his partner turned to their member of provincial parliament (MPP), Donna Skelly, for help. He said her team connected him to the Ministry of Transportation. Emails between Vanden Heuvel's partner, Czerny, and Skelly's office show a back and forth in which the couple were asked to provide information and get photos of their vehicle to prove it was not wrecked. An unnamed person with the ministry is cited as saying the November 2022 permit transfer was done correctly and it appears Mike's Auto Parts had the car's original permit "for reasons yet to be clarified." Eventually, the ministry asked for an affidavit outlining the situation and stating Vanden Heuvel is the owner of his vehicle. Then, on April 4 — about 40 days after the traffic stop — someone in the ministry "waved a magic wand" and he got his car back, Vanden Heuvel said. Skelly confirmed her office helped the couple, writing in an email that she was "relieved that the situation has been resolved." 'Frustrating' lack of accountability But for Vanden Heuvel, getting his car back wasn't the end. He said his family is out about $3,750 for towing and impounding fees, and had to spend about $350 to prepare the documents and pay the legal fees they needed to get the car back. He said he has also lost income by taking time off work and estimated the whole kerfuffle has cost about $5,000. Someone should pay him back, he said. He's just not sure who. There was no clerical error made on MTO's/Service Ontario's end. Our understanding is that the error was made when the registration was initially completed. - Ontario Ministry of Transportation "One of the most frustrating parts," Vanden Heuvel said, is nobody has taken responsibility for what happened. Skelly declined to comment on Vanden Heuvel's search for compensation. In an email, a spokesperson for the Ministry of Transportation told CBC Hamilton: "The ministry can confirm that there was no clerical error made on MTO's/Service Ontario's end. Our understanding is that the error was made when the registration was initially completed." They did not respond to followup questions seeking clarification. Praveen Senthinathan, a spokesperson for Ontario's Ministry of Public and Business Service Delivery, which is responsible for Service Ontario, also said Service Ontario did not make a mistake. His truck was stolen — twice. Authorities knew where it was. But it still took 17 days to get it back CBC Investigates Ontario drivers fight mystery 407 bills, parking tickets — likely from duplicated licence plates Neither ministry answered questions from CBC Hamilton about how this happened, who was to blame, why it took so long to fix the problem, whether Vanden Heuvel will be compensated or how they will prevent something similar from happening again. The manager of the company that owns Red Hill Toyota, Ilya Pinassi, told CBC Hamilton he's confident his team didn't make any mistakes when they sold Vanden Heuvel his car. Pinassi said a record check "clearly demonstrates Red Hill Toyota only once was involved with a change of ownership on this client's vehicle and that was when it was authorized by the client." He added that in his experience, it would be easy for someone to make a typo when entering a VIN number for an ownership transfer at some point after that. The mystery remains unsolved A recent Carfax vehicle history report on Vanden Heuvel's SUV shows a message stating that on Nov. 3, 2022, the vehicle was mistakenly issued a junk title, an error that was later corrected. It does not go into further detail. Vanden Heuvel said that message was not there when he first checked the system several weeks ago. CBC Hamilton requested comment from Carfax but did not hear back before publication.

Spies are not who you think they are

The world is seeing a resurgence in the use of espionage as nations try to get inside information on each other. Beijing accused the United Kingdom of recruiting spies in China, just after British authorities charged two men with violating the Official Secrets Act on behalf of Beijing . Meanwhile, two men were recently arrested for spying for Russia in Germany, and the US intelligence services are working hard to recruit Kremlin insiders who want to work with them. For the vast majority of the public, their perception of intelligence work has been shaped by the ever popular genre of spy fiction. James Bond , an invention of British author Ian Fleming , was an intelligence officer, who worked for the British Secret Intelligence Service, or MI6, and was able to go undercover in various guises, often with the help of futuristic gadgets. Portrayals of spies and spying are still frequently associated with Bond-like suave characters who smoothly navigate diplomatic receptions. In fiction, they use these (as well as more martial talents), to get to the secrets they have been dispatched to find. This archetype is familiar from spy novels, films and TV series. It is completely misleading, and at the same time not entirely removed from the truth. Intelligence as a career One problem is that in both news reporting and English vernacular, the word “spy” is used to describe both intelligence officers and those they recruit. It is not uncommon for (English-speaking) intelligence officers to accept the label and Bond comparisons . So, these mistakes are easy to make, but the intelligence officer and the recruited spy are not the same. Perhaps the most crucial difference is that an intelligence officer has chosen a career. A potentially dangerous career for a few, but a job nevertheless. Traditionally, intelligence officers have often enjoyed diplomatic cover , providing them with immunity from arrest and prosecution. Some have served without such immunity, and indeed been sentenced to lengthy prison terms. But they have often been released to their home countries well before the end of their mandated terms by swapping them for people imprisoned by the other side. Such was the fate of Soviet intelligence officer Konon Molody , also known as Gordon Lonsdale in the 1960s, who was returned in a prisoner exchange after serving a mere three years of his 25-year sentence. In 2010, Anna Chapman, a Russian intelligence agent and model, and her compatriots were exchanged for ten Russians (among them Sergei Skripal, who would later barely escape a Russian assassination plot). Intelligence officers have been selected on the basis of their talents and then trained to hone their skills. In particular, those tasked with recruiting sources tend to be socially adept, likeable and smooth talkers. For example, Richard Sorge , a journalist with a doctorate in political science who was secretly a Soviet intelligence officer, used his German roots to successfully infiltrate German diplomatic circles in Tokyo in the 1930s. A bit like James Bond, he was described as having an irresistible charm. Sorge became close friends with the German military attaché (later ambassador) while simultaneously seducing his wife. Sorge also used to race around Tokyo on a motorcycle, in another reflection of the overlap between truth and fiction . Recruited spies, on the other hand, are selected solely on the basis of what kind of information they have access to and are willing to hand over. Thus, recruited spies are typically expected to betray their own countries. Even if there is moral justification in some cases, such as Ryszard Kuklinski’s handing over of Warsaw Pact military secrets to the west during the cold war, it remains a more extreme choice than that of the career professional. Psychology of spies Unlike the intelligence officer, who can look forward to leaving the life of espionage behind at some point, the recruited spy may have to spend the rest of their life looking over their shoulder . In most countries, espionage is a particularly serious offence, and carries a correspondingly heavy penalty. Recruited spies have to lead double lives , presenting a facade of lies even to friends and family. Intelligence officers work for their own country, their own people. Recruited spies work for an outsider, often an adversary. While some of these recruited spies are coerced , there are also many who have volunteered their services. Among these eager spies, research indicates a disproportionate number of people with psychopathic, narcissistic and immature personalities , as well as many instances of alcohol abuse and personal crises. Robert Hanssen, who spied within the FBI on behalf of the Soviet Union and then Russia, has been described as a psychopath . The same goes for John Walker, who sold the secrets of the United States Navy, later recruited family members to work with him. Both men displayed a callous disregard for the safety and wellbeing of even their own families, as well as a total lack of remorse. Stig Wennerström , a Swedish Air Force colonel who spied for the Soviet Union for decades, had a very clear narcissistic streak (which is evident from his memoirs , in which he claimed that he single-handedly preserved world peace during the cold war through his espionage). While there may be some similarity between the spies of fiction and the real-life intelligence officers who mingle with diplomats, the recruited spies tend to be a very different breed. Far from the glamour of spy fiction, they tend to be troubled individuals . For them the ending is not likely to be a drive into the sunset as the credits roll, but rather a lonely prison cell . Tony Ingesson does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

world,uk

Spies are not who you think they are. The world is seeing a resurgence in the use of espionage as nations try to get inside information on each other. Beijing accused the United Kingdom of recruiting spies in China, just after British authorities charged two men with violating the Official Secrets Act on behalf of Beijing . Meanwhile, two men were recently arrested for spying for Russia in Germany, and the US intelligence services are working hard to recruit Kremlin insiders who want to work with them. For the vast majority of the public, their perception of intelligence work has been shaped by the ever popular genre of spy fiction. James Bond , an invention of British author Ian Fleming , was an intelligence officer, who worked for the British Secret Intelligence Service, or MI6, and was able to go undercover in various guises, often with the help of futuristic gadgets. Portrayals of spies and spying are still frequently associated with Bond-like suave characters who smoothly navigate diplomatic receptions. In fiction, they use these (as well as more martial talents), to get to the secrets they have been dispatched to find. This archetype is familiar from spy novels, films and TV series. It is completely misleading, and at the same time not entirely removed from the truth. Intelligence as a career One problem is that in both news reporting and English vernacular, the word “spy” is used to describe both intelligence officers and those they recruit. It is not uncommon for (English-speaking) intelligence officers to accept the label and Bond comparisons . So, these mistakes are easy to make, but the intelligence officer and the recruited spy are not the same. Perhaps the most crucial difference is that an intelligence officer has chosen a career. A potentially dangerous career for a few, but a job nevertheless. Traditionally, intelligence officers have often enjoyed diplomatic cover , providing them with immunity from arrest and prosecution. Some have served without such immunity, and indeed been sentenced to lengthy prison terms. But they have often been released to their home countries well before the end of their mandated terms by swapping them for people imprisoned by the other side. Such was the fate of Soviet intelligence officer Konon Molody , also known as Gordon Lonsdale in the 1960s, who was returned in a prisoner exchange after serving a mere three years of his 25-year sentence. In 2010, Anna Chapman, a Russian intelligence agent and model, and her compatriots were exchanged for ten Russians (among them Sergei Skripal, who would later barely escape a Russian assassination plot). Intelligence officers have been selected on the basis of their talents and then trained to hone their skills. In particular, those tasked with recruiting sources tend to be socially adept, likeable and smooth talkers. For example, Richard Sorge , a journalist with a doctorate in political science who was secretly a Soviet intelligence officer, used his German roots to successfully infiltrate German diplomatic circles in Tokyo in the 1930s. A bit like James Bond, he was described as having an irresistible charm. Sorge became close friends with the German military attaché (later ambassador) while simultaneously seducing his wife. Sorge also used to race around Tokyo on a motorcycle, in another reflection of the overlap between truth and fiction . Recruited spies, on the other hand, are selected solely on the basis of what kind of information they have access to and are willing to hand over. Thus, recruited spies are typically expected to betray their own countries. Even if there is moral justification in some cases, such as Ryszard Kuklinski’s handing over of Warsaw Pact military secrets to the west during the cold war, it remains a more extreme choice than that of the career professional. Psychology of spies Unlike the intelligence officer, who can look forward to leaving the life of espionage behind at some point, the recruited spy may have to spend the rest of their life looking over their shoulder . In most countries, espionage is a particularly serious offence, and carries a correspondingly heavy penalty. Recruited spies have to lead double lives , presenting a facade of lies even to friends and family. Intelligence officers work for their own country, their own people. Recruited spies work for an outsider, often an adversary. While some of these recruited spies are coerced , there are also many who have volunteered their services. Among these eager spies, research indicates a disproportionate number of people with psychopathic, narcissistic and immature personalities , as well as many instances of alcohol abuse and personal crises. Robert Hanssen, who spied within the FBI on behalf of the Soviet Union and then Russia, has been described as a psychopath . The same goes for John Walker, who sold the secrets of the United States Navy, later recruited family members to work with him. Both men displayed a callous disregard for the safety and wellbeing of even their own families, as well as a total lack of remorse. Stig Wennerström , a Swedish Air Force colonel who spied for the Soviet Union for decades, had a very clear narcissistic streak (which is evident from his memoirs , in which he claimed that he single-handedly preserved world peace during the cold war through his espionage). While there may be some similarity between the spies of fiction and the real-life intelligence officers who mingle with diplomats, the recruited spies tend to be a very different breed. Far from the glamour of spy fiction, they tend to be troubled individuals . For them the ending is not likely to be a drive into the sunset as the credits roll, but rather a lonely prison cell . Tony Ingesson does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

Florida sheriff’s deputy who fatally shot Black airman at home is fired, shooting 'not objectively reasonable'

Bodycam footage released of police fatally shooting U.S. airman Bodycam footage has been released showing the moment a police officer fatally shot a U.S. airman in Florida. CREDIT: REUTERS sheriff's deputy who shot and killed an Air Force service member in his home earlier this month has been fired. The Okaloosa County Sheriff's Office said Deputy Eddie Duran was terminated after an administrative investigation found his use of deadly force was "not objectionably reasonable" in the death of Roger Fortson, a news release states. "The objective facts of the administrative investigation concluded that Mr. Fortson did not make any hostile, attacking movements, and therefore, the former deputy's use of deadly force was not objectively reasonable under OSCO's [Okaloosa County Sheriff's Office] policy," it said. AIR FORCE AIRMAN FATALLY SHOT WHEN FLORIDA DEPUTIES BREACHED WRONG APARTMENT, ATTORNEY SAYS U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Roger Fortson, 23, died May 3, following an incident at his off-base residence. (Hurlburt Field) Fortson, 23, a Senior Airman with the 4th Special Operations Squadron assigned to the squadron's AC-130J gunships at Hurlburt Field, Florida. On May 3, Fortson opened the door to his apartment while holding a legally purchased handgun pointed toward the floor, according to the deputy's body camera footage. The deputy shouted, "Step back!" and then shot Fortson six times. After the shooting, the deputy shouted, "Drop the gun! Drop the gun!" before calling for paramedics. Duran was responding to a domestic violence call and was directed to ther apartment. "Mr. Fortson did not make any hostile, attacking movements, and therefore, the former deputy's use of deadly force was not objectively reasonable," the sheriff's office said. BODYCAM FOOTAGE SHOWS MOMENT DEPUTY FATALLY SHOOTS AIR FORCE AIRMAN AT HIS HOME The family of Roger Fortson, 23, who was shot dead by police when answering the door to his apartment. Also pictured is the family's attorney, Ben Crump. (Reuters ) "This tragic incident should have never occurred," said Okaloosa County Sheriff Eric Aden. "The objective facts do not support the use of deadly force as an appropriate response to Mr. Fortson's actions. Mr. Fortson did not commit any crime. By all accounts, he was an exceptional airman and individual." Sabu Williams, president of the Okaloosa County NAACP, applauded Aden's action. "We appreciate what the internal investigation has shown and what the sheriff has done to this point," Williams told The Associated Press. "We don't think this is the end of it, obviously." He said the NAACP has a good relationship with the Roger Fortson was shot and killed in his apartment in Florida on May 3. "Some of us may have wanted things to happen a lot quicker, but I know due diligence has to take place," Williams said. Duran, an Army veteran, was first employed by the sheriff's office from July 2019 to November 2021 before rejoining the agency in June 2023.

usa

Florida sheriff’s deputy who fatally shot Black airman at home is fired, shooting 'not objectively reasonable'. Bodycam footage released of police fatally shooting U.S. airman Bodycam footage has been released showing the moment a police officer fatally shot a U.S. airman in Florida. CREDIT: REUTERS sheriff's deputy who shot and killed an Air Force service member in his home earlier this month has been fired. The Okaloosa County Sheriff's Office said Deputy Eddie Duran was terminated after an administrative investigation found his use of deadly force was "not objectionably reasonable" in the death of Roger Fortson, a news release states. "The objective facts of the administrative investigation concluded that Mr. Fortson did not make any hostile, attacking movements, and therefore, the former deputy's use of deadly force was not objectively reasonable under OSCO's [Okaloosa County Sheriff's Office] policy," it said. AIR FORCE AIRMAN FATALLY SHOT WHEN FLORIDA DEPUTIES BREACHED WRONG APARTMENT, ATTORNEY SAYS U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Roger Fortson, 23, died May 3, following an incident at his off-base residence. (Hurlburt Field) Fortson, 23, a Senior Airman with the 4th Special Operations Squadron assigned to the squadron's AC-130J gunships at Hurlburt Field, Florida. On May 3, Fortson opened the door to his apartment while holding a legally purchased handgun pointed toward the floor, according to the deputy's body camera footage. The deputy shouted, "Step back!" and then shot Fortson six times. After the shooting, the deputy shouted, "Drop the gun! Drop the gun!" before calling for paramedics. Duran was responding to a domestic violence call and was directed to ther apartment. "Mr. Fortson did not make any hostile, attacking movements, and therefore, the former deputy's use of deadly force was not objectively reasonable," the sheriff's office said. BODYCAM FOOTAGE SHOWS MOMENT DEPUTY FATALLY SHOOTS AIR FORCE AIRMAN AT HIS HOME The family of Roger Fortson, 23, who was shot dead by police when answering the door to his apartment. Also pictured is the family's attorney, Ben Crump. (Reuters ) "This tragic incident should have never occurred," said Okaloosa County Sheriff Eric Aden. "The objective facts do not support the use of deadly force as an appropriate response to Mr. Fortson's actions. Mr. Fortson did not commit any crime. By all accounts, he was an exceptional airman and individual." Sabu Williams, president of the Okaloosa County NAACP, applauded Aden's action. "We appreciate what the internal investigation has shown and what the sheriff has done to this point," Williams told The Associated Press. "We don't think this is the end of it, obviously." He said the NAACP has a good relationship with the Roger Fortson was shot and killed in his apartment in Florida on May 3. "Some of us may have wanted things to happen a lot quicker, but I know due diligence has to take place," Williams said. Duran, an Army veteran, was first employed by the sheriff's office from July 2019 to November 2021 before rejoining the agency in June 2023.

A ruinous hailstorm in Spain may have been supercharged by warming seas

On August 31, 2022, a brutal hailstorm struck the small Spanish city of La Bisbal d'Empordà. The storm unleashed balls of ice up to 12 centimeters wide, causing widespread damage to property and crops, injuring dozens of people and killing a 20-month-old toddler. Computer simulations now suggest that in a preindustrial climate, the storm could not have generated hailstones this big, researchers report in the March 28 Geophysical Research Letters. The study is the first to establish a link between climate change and a specific hailstorm. "In the past, it was thought that climate change could only be associated with large-scale or global phenomena," says Juan Jesús González-Alemán, an atmospheric scientist at the Spanish State Meteorological Agency in Madrid. He and his colleagues had suspected that a record-breaking marine heat wave in the western Mediterranean Sea had created the perfect conditions for extreme hailstorms. The heat wave lasted six weeks and pushed seawater temperatures to about 30° Celsius in some areas, or more than 3 degrees above normal, González-Alemán says. This in turn could have supercharged the atmosphere with energy and moisture. It might be "counterintuitive" to link hail, which in principle requires cold, to a marine heat wave, González-Alemán says. But the extra energy the storm could draw from the hot sea allowed it to produce massive hailstones by staying longer at higher altitudes, where temperatures drop below freezing, he says. "Strong updrafts, fueled by warm sea temperatures and high humidity, can suspend larger hailstones, allowing them to grow for a longer time within the cloud." To see how the storm might have behaved in a world with a different climate, the researchers used computer simulations to re-create the storm under different circumstances. In one simulation, for example, the team lowered the sea temperature to the average for that time of the year. In another, they also changed atmospheric parameters to preindustrial levels, tweaking things such as air temperature, relative humidity and wind. The simulations showed that while the storm would have occurred with or without climate change, it wouldn't have been able to generate hailstones of the size witnessed in La Bisbal d'Empordà in a preindustrial climate. The finding suggests a connection between climate change — which is leading to more frequent and more intense marine heat waves — and the formation of larger, more destructive hailstones ( SN: 2/1/22 ). And, the researchers note, historical data on how often giant hail — defined in their study as wider than 5 centimeters — fell in Spain each year bear that out. While storms with giant hail were once rare, occurring on average three days a year in the early 2010s, the past decade or so has seen a small but worrying uptick in their frequency. Climate scientist Olivia Romppainen-Martius, however, is wary of attributing hail events to climate change based on these kinds of simulations and past meteorological records. "You need multiple lines of evidence that are all robust to really support attribution statements," says Romppainen-Martius, of the University of Bern in Germany. One problem, she says, is that the computer simulations used in this study can´t directly compute the hail size produced by a storm. Instead, scientists must estimate a storm's hail-forming potential based on parameters such as wind speed, atmospheric stability and air temperature. As a result, what researchers can really evaluate is the likelihood of forming a certain hail size under a particular set of conditions. On top of that, Romppainen-Martius says, the historical databases used to estimate the hail-forming potential of storms could be incomplete, making any long-term trends less reliable. "I would say the jury is still out on whether or not we can attribute individual hail events to climate change." González-Alemán argues, however, that the team's study shows the strong connection between sea temperature and creating the atmospheric conditions that can produce giant hail. The 2022 storm had "the perfect conditions to reach the maximum possible energy, and that is where the climate change comes in, because it makes [these] heat waves increasingly frequent." In the future, as extreme marine heat waves become more intense, people should expect more powerful hailstorms with larger hail sizes, he says. Simulations of the same storm in a context of more advanced climate change showed that hailstones could reach up to 20 centimeters across — nearly twice as wide the largest hail that fell on La Bisbal d'Empordà. "As we learn more about these extreme events it becomes clear that we need to adapt," González-Alemán says. "At this point, this is more about adaptation than anything else."

environment,science

A ruinous hailstorm in Spain may have been supercharged by warming seas. On August 31, 2022, a brutal hailstorm struck the small Spanish city of La Bisbal d'Empordà. The storm unleashed balls of ice up to 12 centimeters wide, causing widespread damage to property and crops, injuring dozens of people and killing a 20-month-old toddler. Computer simulations now suggest that in a preindustrial climate, the storm could not have generated hailstones this big, researchers report in the March 28 Geophysical Research Letters. The study is the first to establish a link between climate change and a specific hailstorm. "In the past, it was thought that climate change could only be associated with large-scale or global phenomena," says Juan Jesús González-Alemán, an atmospheric scientist at the Spanish State Meteorological Agency in Madrid. He and his colleagues had suspected that a record-breaking marine heat wave in the western Mediterranean Sea had created the perfect conditions for extreme hailstorms. The heat wave lasted six weeks and pushed seawater temperatures to about 30° Celsius in some areas, or more than 3 degrees above normal, González-Alemán says. This in turn could have supercharged the atmosphere with energy and moisture. It might be "counterintuitive" to link hail, which in principle requires cold, to a marine heat wave, González-Alemán says. But the extra energy the storm could draw from the hot sea allowed it to produce massive hailstones by staying longer at higher altitudes, where temperatures drop below freezing, he says. "Strong updrafts, fueled by warm sea temperatures and high humidity, can suspend larger hailstones, allowing them to grow for a longer time within the cloud." To see how the storm might have behaved in a world with a different climate, the researchers used computer simulations to re-create the storm under different circumstances. In one simulation, for example, the team lowered the sea temperature to the average for that time of the year. In another, they also changed atmospheric parameters to preindustrial levels, tweaking things such as air temperature, relative humidity and wind. The simulations showed that while the storm would have occurred with or without climate change, it wouldn't have been able to generate hailstones of the size witnessed in La Bisbal d'Empordà in a preindustrial climate. The finding suggests a connection between climate change — which is leading to more frequent and more intense marine heat waves — and the formation of larger, more destructive hailstones ( SN: 2/1/22 ). And, the researchers note, historical data on how often giant hail — defined in their study as wider than 5 centimeters — fell in Spain each year bear that out. While storms with giant hail were once rare, occurring on average three days a year in the early 2010s, the past decade or so has seen a small but worrying uptick in their frequency. Climate scientist Olivia Romppainen-Martius, however, is wary of attributing hail events to climate change based on these kinds of simulations and past meteorological records. "You need multiple lines of evidence that are all robust to really support attribution statements," says Romppainen-Martius, of the University of Bern in Germany. One problem, she says, is that the computer simulations used in this study can´t directly compute the hail size produced by a storm. Instead, scientists must estimate a storm's hail-forming potential based on parameters such as wind speed, atmospheric stability and air temperature. As a result, what researchers can really evaluate is the likelihood of forming a certain hail size under a particular set of conditions. On top of that, Romppainen-Martius says, the historical databases used to estimate the hail-forming potential of storms could be incomplete, making any long-term trends less reliable. "I would say the jury is still out on whether or not we can attribute individual hail events to climate change." González-Alemán argues, however, that the team's study shows the strong connection between sea temperature and creating the atmospheric conditions that can produce giant hail. The 2022 storm had "the perfect conditions to reach the maximum possible energy, and that is where the climate change comes in, because it makes [these] heat waves increasingly frequent." In the future, as extreme marine heat waves become more intense, people should expect more powerful hailstorms with larger hail sizes, he says. Simulations of the same storm in a context of more advanced climate change showed that hailstones could reach up to 20 centimeters across — nearly twice as wide the largest hail that fell on La Bisbal d'Empordà. "As we learn more about these extreme events it becomes clear that we need to adapt," González-Alemán says. "At this point, this is more about adaptation than anything else."

Cardano Is on Track for Voltaire Upgrade This Month, Co-Founder Hoskinson Says

The Cardano Node will reach version 9.0, making it ready for a hard fork to enter the Voltaire era. The Cardano network is set to move into the final phase of a multiyear program to become a wholly decentralized blockchain ecosystem later this month, co-founder Charles Hoskinson said in an X post Monday. As a first step, the validating node software operated by the system's stake pool operators, or SPOs, needs to be upgraded to the latest version. Then, the blockchain will evolve into a backward-incompatible version, a process known as a hard fork, and in doing so, enter a new era known as Voltaire. Cardano is currently in its Basho era. The project's roadmap says that once the switch is complete, the seven-year-old blockchain will no longer be actively managed by Cardano development firm IOHK but will instead be wholly run by community members. "It looks like June will be the month that Cardano Node will reach 9.0," Hoskinson posted. "This means that Cardano is Chang fork ready and waiting for 70 percent of the SPOs to install the new node. Then, a hard fork can occur pushing Cardano into the Age of Voltaire." "We'll have the most advanced blockchain governance system, annual budgets, a treasury, and the wisdom of our entire community to guide us," he added. According to governance forums and blog posts, the first part of Voltaire will see the implementation of CIP 1694, a proposal that will allow holders of the native (ADA) token to vote on topics and features that benefit Cardano. A second step will enable more novel features, such as proxy participation and treasury withdrawals, allowing users to propose and fund projects within the Cardano ecosystem. ADA tokens are down 1.6% in the past 24 hours, CoinGecko data shows, outperforming losses of 2.2% in major tokens tracked by the interests in a variety of blockchain and digital asset businesses and significant holdings of digital assets, including bitcoin. CoinDesk operates as an independent subsidiary with an editorial committee to protect journalistic independence. CoinDesk employees, including journalists, may receive options in the Bullish group as part of their compensation.

crypto

Cardano Is on Track for Voltaire Upgrade This Month, Co-Founder Hoskinson Says. The Cardano Node will reach version 9.0, making it ready for a hard fork to enter the Voltaire era. The Cardano network is set to move into the final phase of a multiyear program to become a wholly decentralized blockchain ecosystem later this month, co-founder Charles Hoskinson said in an X post Monday. As a first step, the validating node software operated by the system's stake pool operators, or SPOs, needs to be upgraded to the latest version. Then, the blockchain will evolve into a backward-incompatible version, a process known as a hard fork, and in doing so, enter a new era known as Voltaire. Cardano is currently in its Basho era. The project's roadmap says that once the switch is complete, the seven-year-old blockchain will no longer be actively managed by Cardano development firm IOHK but will instead be wholly run by community members. "It looks like June will be the month that Cardano Node will reach 9.0," Hoskinson posted. "This means that Cardano is Chang fork ready and waiting for 70 percent of the SPOs to install the new node. Then, a hard fork can occur pushing Cardano into the Age of Voltaire." "We'll have the most advanced blockchain governance system, annual budgets, a treasury, and the wisdom of our entire community to guide us," he added. According to governance forums and blog posts, the first part of Voltaire will see the implementation of CIP 1694, a proposal that will allow holders of the native (ADA) token to vote on topics and features that benefit Cardano. A second step will enable more novel features, such as proxy participation and treasury withdrawals, allowing users to propose and fund projects within the Cardano ecosystem. ADA tokens are down 1.6% in the past 24 hours, CoinGecko data shows, outperforming losses of 2.2% in major tokens tracked by the interests in a variety of blockchain and digital asset businesses and significant holdings of digital assets, including bitcoin. CoinDesk operates as an independent subsidiary with an editorial committee to protect journalistic independence. CoinDesk employees, including journalists, may receive options in the Bullish group as part of their compensation.

SEC chair Gensler says spot Ethereum ETF launch timeline depends on applicants’ speed

Gary Gensler said the timeline for spot Ethereum ETF launches depends on how quickly applicants respond to the regulator's questions and comment on reasons for approvals. Gensler told Reuters on June 5 that the firms are "self-motivated" to answer SEC comments and can determine their responsiveness. Past reports suggest that the SEC will comment on recently amended S-1 registrations from eight spot Ethereum ETF issuers. The applicants will then file further amendments before launching each product. Gensler did not say whether the process would take weeks or months. Grayscale influenced ETH stance The SEC chair said Grayscale's legal win, which paved the path for spot Bitcoin ETF approvals, had also influenced the SEC's stance on spot ETH products. Grayscale argued for approving Bitcoin ETFs based on correlations between Bitcoin spot and futures markets, as the SEC approved Bitcoin and Ethereum futures ETFs in previous years. Gensler previously said that the legal outcome led the SEC to approve the spot Bitcoin ETFs in January. He did not connect the outcome to the SEC's stance on ETH until recently. Gensler told Reuters that market correlations were key to the SEC's approval of the latest spot Ethereum ETFs. He said: "[SEC staff] looked at these (ether) filings … the correlations are relatively similar to the correlations in the bitcoin space." Gensler spoke to CNBC Gensler made comparable comments in a June 5 CNBC interview, saying that spot ETH ETF launches could "take some time." He did not speculate on a launch date. Gensler also told CNBC that the SEC compared the spot Ethereum market to the Ethereum futures market in its latest decision. Gensler said that ETH futures ETFs have traded on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange (CME) for more than three years. Industry experts have speculated on a launch date, with Bloomberg ETF analyst Eric Balchunas predicting that the ETFs could launch by the end of June and called July 4 an over/under date. Polymarket, which represents community bets based on staked crypto amounts, displays 57% odds that the funds could begin trading by Editor & Reporter at CryptoSlate AJ, a passionate journalist since Yemen's 2011 Arab Spring, has honed his skills worldwide for over a decade. Specializing in financial journalism, he now focuses on crypto reporting.

crypto

SEC chair Gensler says spot Ethereum ETF launch timeline depends on applicants’ speed. Gary Gensler said the timeline for spot Ethereum ETF launches depends on how quickly applicants respond to the regulator's questions and comment on reasons for approvals. Gensler told Reuters on June 5 that the firms are "self-motivated" to answer SEC comments and can determine their responsiveness. Past reports suggest that the SEC will comment on recently amended S-1 registrations from eight spot Ethereum ETF issuers. The applicants will then file further amendments before launching each product. Gensler did not say whether the process would take weeks or months. Grayscale influenced ETH stance The SEC chair said Grayscale's legal win, which paved the path for spot Bitcoin ETF approvals, had also influenced the SEC's stance on spot ETH products. Grayscale argued for approving Bitcoin ETFs based on correlations between Bitcoin spot and futures markets, as the SEC approved Bitcoin and Ethereum futures ETFs in previous years. Gensler previously said that the legal outcome led the SEC to approve the spot Bitcoin ETFs in January. He did not connect the outcome to the SEC's stance on ETH until recently. Gensler told Reuters that market correlations were key to the SEC's approval of the latest spot Ethereum ETFs. He said: "[SEC staff] looked at these (ether) filings … the correlations are relatively similar to the correlations in the bitcoin space." Gensler spoke to CNBC Gensler made comparable comments in a June 5 CNBC interview, saying that spot ETH ETF launches could "take some time." He did not speculate on a launch date. Gensler also told CNBC that the SEC compared the spot Ethereum market to the Ethereum futures market in its latest decision. Gensler said that ETH futures ETFs have traded on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange (CME) for more than three years. Industry experts have speculated on a launch date, with Bloomberg ETF analyst Eric Balchunas predicting that the ETFs could launch by the end of June and called July 4 an over/under date. Polymarket, which represents community bets based on staked crypto amounts, displays 57% odds that the funds could begin trading by Editor & Reporter at CryptoSlate AJ, a passionate journalist since Yemen's 2011 Arab Spring, has honed his skills worldwide for over a decade. Specializing in financial journalism, he now focuses on crypto reporting.

Israeli airstrike in West Bank kills Palestinian militant, wounds 5 others

Palestinians inspect the destruction following an Israeli operation in Nur Shams refugee camp, near the West Bank town of Tulkarem, Sunday, June 30, 2024. Palestinian health officials said one person was killed and several wounded during an Israeli operation in the Nur Shams refugee camp in the northern West Bank. Israel frequently operates in the area, saying it is a stronghold of Palestinian militants. (AP Photo/Majdi Mohammed) The Associated Press NUR SHAMS REFUGEE CAMP, West Bank -- Israeli troops carried out an airstrike in the northern West Bank on Sunday, killing a Palestinian militant and wounding five other people, Palestinian health officials said. The strike took place in Nur Shams, an urban refugee camp that has been a frequent target of the Israeli military and is known as a stronghold of Palestinian militants. The state-run Palestinian news agency Wafa said an Israeli drone fired three missiles and struck a house. Islamic Jihad identified the dead man as Saeed al-Jaber, one of its local commanders. Wafa said he had escaped a previous drone strike on June 20. There were no details on the identities of the wounded. Health officials said two were in critical condition. The Israeli military confirmed an attack on the home, saying that militants inside, including al-Jaber, were responsible for recent attacks on Israeli targets. The occupied West Bank has experienced a surge in violence since the war in Gaza erupted in October. The Palestinian Health Ministry says over 500 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli fire in the West Bank since the start of the war. Most have been killed during Israeli raids and violent protests. The dead also include bystanders and Palestinians killed in attacks by Jewish settlers. Israel launched an aerial and ground offensive in Gaza in response to the Hamas attack on southern Israel on Oct. 7 that killed 1,200 people and took 250 others hostage. More than 37,800 Palestinians have been killed in the offensive, according to Gaza's Health Ministry, which doesn't distinguish between civilians and combatants in its toll. Israeli forces have been battling Palestinian militants in an eastern part of Gaza City, Shijaiyah, in recent days. Israel returned to the neighborhood last week, months after saying it had completed operations in the area. Hamas has repeatedly regrouped in hard-hit areas after Israeli troops pulled out, raising questions about Israel's commitment to destroying the militant group's military capabilities. The latest operation has sent thousands of residents fleeing. The army said Sunday it has killed dozens of militants in "close-quarters combat" and airstrikes, and confiscated weapons from a hideout it said Hamas had kept in a United Nations-supported school. Palestinians also continued to flee the area in and around Rafah, the southern Gaza city where Israel says it is in the final stages of an offensive. More than 1.3 million Palestinians have fled Rafah since Israel's incursion into the city in early May. But with few safe places to go, tens of thousands of people have stayed behind, mostly in outlying areas previously thought to be safe. Large groups of people fled with tents, mattresses and clothes piled on trucks or donkey-pulled carts. Many walked on foot as they searched for shelter. Even places thought to be safe suffer from overcrowding and poor health conditions. For many Palestinians in the war-torn enclave, it was not their first displacement. They say the experience doesn't get any easier. "This is the fourth time going from place to place where they (the Israeli military) tells us is a safe area but turns out it isn't," Mohammad Hajjaj told The Associated Press. He was first displaced from Shijaiyah in the early weeks of the war. Hajjaj said that two days ago, he and his family woke to the sound of Israeli tank fire nearby before leaving. "We slept on the streets," he said. The fleeing Palestinians found space on a plot of land in nearby Khan Younis and began setting up their tents alongside dozens of others on the sandy lot. "We came to Khan Younis from Muwasi," said Mervette Shamlakh, referring to the Israeli-designated coastal "humanitarian zone" that has little basic services. "It's the same thing again and we had to flee … we have no idea where we are supposed to go." In Muwasi, scores of men, women and children stood in line for hours as they crowded around trucks and water tanks in the scorching heat to collect their share of drinking and potable water. People said water had always been scarce in the sandy area, even before the displaced Palestinians arrived. "I'm filling a bottle just like this, to have a liter of drinking water for 16 people who live with me at home," Issam Al Dayah told the AP as he waited his turn. "We suffer from everything. Not just water," said Mai Al Rae after struggling to get through the crowd to fill a bucket. "How long is life going to be like this?" The fighting has threatened to spread to Israel's northern border with Lebanon, where Israeli forces have been trading fire with Hezbollah militants in daily clashes. The Israeli military said an explosive drone launched by Hezbollah crashed into the Golan Heights on Sunday, severely wounding a soldier and lightly hurting 17 others. It said Israeli warplanes and artillery units responded by striking Hezbollah targets in southern Lebanon.

world

Israeli airstrike in West Bank kills Palestinian militant, wounds 5 others. Palestinians inspect the destruction following an Israeli operation in Nur Shams refugee camp, near the West Bank town of Tulkarem, Sunday, June 30, 2024. Palestinian health officials said one person was killed and several wounded during an Israeli operation in the Nur Shams refugee camp in the northern West Bank. Israel frequently operates in the area, saying it is a stronghold of Palestinian militants. (AP Photo/Majdi Mohammed) The Associated Press NUR SHAMS REFUGEE CAMP, West Bank -- Israeli troops carried out an airstrike in the northern West Bank on Sunday, killing a Palestinian militant and wounding five other people, Palestinian health officials said. The strike took place in Nur Shams, an urban refugee camp that has been a frequent target of the Israeli military and is known as a stronghold of Palestinian militants. The state-run Palestinian news agency Wafa said an Israeli drone fired three missiles and struck a house. Islamic Jihad identified the dead man as Saeed al-Jaber, one of its local commanders. Wafa said he had escaped a previous drone strike on June 20. There were no details on the identities of the wounded. Health officials said two were in critical condition. The Israeli military confirmed an attack on the home, saying that militants inside, including al-Jaber, were responsible for recent attacks on Israeli targets. The occupied West Bank has experienced a surge in violence since the war in Gaza erupted in October. The Palestinian Health Ministry says over 500 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli fire in the West Bank since the start of the war. Most have been killed during Israeli raids and violent protests. The dead also include bystanders and Palestinians killed in attacks by Jewish settlers. Israel launched an aerial and ground offensive in Gaza in response to the Hamas attack on southern Israel on Oct. 7 that killed 1,200 people and took 250 others hostage. More than 37,800 Palestinians have been killed in the offensive, according to Gaza's Health Ministry, which doesn't distinguish between civilians and combatants in its toll. Israeli forces have been battling Palestinian militants in an eastern part of Gaza City, Shijaiyah, in recent days. Israel returned to the neighborhood last week, months after saying it had completed operations in the area. Hamas has repeatedly regrouped in hard-hit areas after Israeli troops pulled out, raising questions about Israel's commitment to destroying the militant group's military capabilities. The latest operation has sent thousands of residents fleeing. The army said Sunday it has killed dozens of militants in "close-quarters combat" and airstrikes, and confiscated weapons from a hideout it said Hamas had kept in a United Nations-supported school. Palestinians also continued to flee the area in and around Rafah, the southern Gaza city where Israel says it is in the final stages of an offensive. More than 1.3 million Palestinians have fled Rafah since Israel's incursion into the city in early May. But with few safe places to go, tens of thousands of people have stayed behind, mostly in outlying areas previously thought to be safe. Large groups of people fled with tents, mattresses and clothes piled on trucks or donkey-pulled carts. Many walked on foot as they searched for shelter. Even places thought to be safe suffer from overcrowding and poor health conditions. For many Palestinians in the war-torn enclave, it was not their first displacement. They say the experience doesn't get any easier. "This is the fourth time going from place to place where they (the Israeli military) tells us is a safe area but turns out it isn't," Mohammad Hajjaj told The Associated Press. He was first displaced from Shijaiyah in the early weeks of the war. Hajjaj said that two days ago, he and his family woke to the sound of Israeli tank fire nearby before leaving. "We slept on the streets," he said. The fleeing Palestinians found space on a plot of land in nearby Khan Younis and began setting up their tents alongside dozens of others on the sandy lot. "We came to Khan Younis from Muwasi," said Mervette Shamlakh, referring to the Israeli-designated coastal "humanitarian zone" that has little basic services. "It's the same thing again and we had to flee … we have no idea where we are supposed to go." In Muwasi, scores of men, women and children stood in line for hours as they crowded around trucks and water tanks in the scorching heat to collect their share of drinking and potable water. People said water had always been scarce in the sandy area, even before the displaced Palestinians arrived. "I'm filling a bottle just like this, to have a liter of drinking water for 16 people who live with me at home," Issam Al Dayah told the AP as he waited his turn. "We suffer from everything. Not just water," said Mai Al Rae after struggling to get through the crowd to fill a bucket. "How long is life going to be like this?" The fighting has threatened to spread to Israel's northern border with Lebanon, where Israeli forces have been trading fire with Hezbollah militants in daily clashes. The Israeli military said an explosive drone launched by Hezbollah crashed into the Golan Heights on Sunday, severely wounding a soldier and lightly hurting 17 others. It said Israeli warplanes and artillery units responded by striking Hezbollah targets in southern Lebanon.

Why is Rhino Poaching Down at This Park? The Reasons May Not Be Good

In recent years, the South African government has touted the steady decline of rhino poaching in Kruger National Park, the largest wildlife sanctuary in the country and a habitat for many of these iconic horned mammals. But a new study, published Friday in Science Advances, suggests there may be more to this story. Using mathematical models, researchers found that the drop in poaching incidents could be due to an unfortunate fact: fewer rhinos. Low population density makes poaching harder because rhinos are simply more difficult to track down, the researchers found. But the demand for rhino horns on the illegal wildlife market remains persistently high, and so has overall poaching activity in Kruger, the research concludes, despite anti-poaching measures. Climate change, meanwhile, could cause further havoc. The Poaching Problem: White and black rhinos are among the largest land-based animals on Earth. Male white rhinos can measure 12 feet long and clock in at around 5,000 pounds as adults. But Kruger National Park covers 2 million hectares of land—about the same size as Israel. With only around 10,000 white rhinos left in all of South Africa, finding these hoofed ungulates in the park is harder than one might think. Poachers often spend days searching for a rhino to kill for its horn, according to the study's lead author, Jasper Eikelboom. "There's no way that poachers can find almost all the rhinos and kill them … because it's becoming increasingly more difficult to find them," Eikelboom, an ecologist at Wageningen University in the Netherlands, told me. This is why poachers aren't giving up: A rhino horn—made of keratin, similar to human fingernails—can sell for $40,000 or more on the illegal black market. Most of the demand comes from Southeast Asia and China, where some people buy rhino horns as a status symbol or use them in traditional medicines. "Searching for a couple of days [or] a couple of weeks is still worth it because there's an enormous profit margin," Eikelboom said. Over the past few decades, the South African government has implemented a range of strategies to combat this illegal activity, from pairing ranger teams with dog patrol units to dehorning rhinos in Kruger. While South Africa has seen a modest decrease in rhino poaching incidents across Kruger in recent years, Eikelboom and his co-author, Herbert Prins, another ecologist at Wageningen University, wanted to determine if part of the reason for the decline was the smaller pool of animals to hunt. To do this, they used a model that calculated how far poachers moved on average from 2007 to 2022 to find a rhino in the context of the dwindling rhino densities. Their data reveals that poaching activity has proportionally remained consistent as rhino populations have dipped, despite the more stringent anti-poaching measures. "We have to look at the relative numbers, like how [many rhinos] are being killed on a percentage basis instead of an absolute number," Eikelboom said. The research shows that anti-poaching efforts have not been strong enough to prevent population decline, the authors say, because illegal hunting activity should have gone down no matter what. "It's a fantastic first step in trying to quantify the issue and then setting up hypotheses for others to test," said Dave Balfour, an independent conservation ecologist who wasn't involved in the study. Balfour chairs the African Rhino Specialist Group of the nonprofit International Union for Conservation of Nature's African Species Survival Commission. "Conserving rhinos in an area the size of Kruger, which is huge, is ideal for every purpose except the security needs of the species, and that's because it's just extremely difficult to secure an area that size." However, Balfour sees limitations with some of the paper's assumptions. Its model follows the premise that many poachers are searching for rhinos without much information about where to look and that these "naive" poachers have to travel an average distance before stumbling upon one. "I'm not sure that there is such a thing as a naive poacher. Just about every poaching incident relies on some form of internal-collaboration corruption," Balfour said. "So how naive these poachers are is highly questionable, and whether the rhinos are broadly, evenly spread through the landscape, as I read in the paper, is also questionable." Risks From All Sides: Rhino conservation is an exceedingly complex issue in South Africa. Many of the communities surrounding Kruger and other rhino habitats are impoverished, and unemployment rates in the country surpass 30 percent. Experts say these conditions are often the reason that individuals might risk dangerous wildlife encounters or a 25-year jail sentence to track down rhino horns. While poaching incidents have decreased in Kruger, they increased in the country overall last year, with 499 rhinos killed—51 more than in 2022, the BBC reports. Rising temperatures and unpredictable rainfall due to climate change could soon be compounding the problem, according to a study published in January. Rhino skin has very few sweat glands. That makes the animals particularly vulnerable to heat because they cannot cool off on a hot day by sweating like humans can. Instead, they must consume a lot of water or seek out shade to prevent heat stress. But the study found that climate change will likely push rhinos to the upper heat threshold that they can handle and require them to travel greater distances to access watering holes. "Wildlife, and even humans, have to actually travel farther and farther to find water and that means that … the risk of poaching, the risk of habitat destruction or other types of interactions, will start to increase," study author Timothy Randhir, an ecologist at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, told me. He and the other authors say that the South African government could plant more trees and add watering holes to the landscape to help minimize these interactions and provide cooling spaces for the rhinos. However, the poaching issue is not going to be easy to solve. As the South African government continues to invest in anti-poaching measures, poachers are creating innovative strategies to get around them, reports Bloomberg. In the long term, Eikelboom and co-authors of the poaching study write, reducing the demand for rhino horn will allow these mammals to "safely roam the wide African savannas again." In the meantime, they say that smaller and more well-monitored "safe havens" for wildlife beyond Kruger will be crucial. More Top Climate News In California, regulators approved rules on Thursday to protect workers from rising indoor temperatures as a heat wave sizzles states across the East Coast and Midwest. The regulation from the California Division of Occupational Safety and Health will require employers in indoor industrial buildings to provide cool areas for workers when temperatures reach 82 degrees Fahrenheit. If temperatures surpass 87 degrees, employers must ensure the entire workspace is cooled and provide more breaks or change worker schedules. However, Associated Press reporter Dorany Pineda pointed out that the rules will not cover employees in state correctional facilities. "These workers are at risk of heat exhaustion and dehydration due to working in often archaic, poorly ventilated buildings with little protection from temperatures and that will only worsen in the coming years," AnaStacia Nicol Wright, policy manager with the workers rights organization Worksafe, told the AP. Meanwhile, an unprecedented number of mosquitoes are testing positive for West Nile virus around Las Vegas, reports NBC News. A growing body of research has found that climate change is expanding the geographic range for certain insects—and the diseases they carry. Experts say that Las Vegas' current situation is just another example of this phenomenon. "Mosquitoes typically thrive in wet and hot places," Nischay Mishra, an assistant professor of epidemiology at Columbia University, told NBC News. "But in Nevada, as smaller bodies of water dry up, they create shallow waters that are ideal for mosquito breeding." In other news, ProPublica's Lisa Song (an ICN alum) wrote a sprawling piece about how a chemical plastic recycling technique known as pyrolysis does not actually yield much recycled plastic. My colleague Jim Bruggers has

environment

Why is Rhino Poaching Down at This Park? The Reasons May Not Be Good. In recent years, the South African government has touted the steady decline of rhino poaching in Kruger National Park, the largest wildlife sanctuary in the country and a habitat for many of these iconic horned mammals. But a new study, published Friday in Science Advances, suggests there may be more to this story. Using mathematical models, researchers found that the drop in poaching incidents could be due to an unfortunate fact: fewer rhinos. Low population density makes poaching harder because rhinos are simply more difficult to track down, the researchers found. But the demand for rhino horns on the illegal wildlife market remains persistently high, and so has overall poaching activity in Kruger, the research concludes, despite anti-poaching measures. Climate change, meanwhile, could cause further havoc. The Poaching Problem: White and black rhinos are among the largest land-based animals on Earth. Male white rhinos can measure 12 feet long and clock in at around 5,000 pounds as adults. But Kruger National Park covers 2 million hectares of land—about the same size as Israel. With only around 10,000 white rhinos left in all of South Africa, finding these hoofed ungulates in the park is harder than one might think. Poachers often spend days searching for a rhino to kill for its horn, according to the study's lead author, Jasper Eikelboom. "There's no way that poachers can find almost all the rhinos and kill them … because it's becoming increasingly more difficult to find them," Eikelboom, an ecologist at Wageningen University in the Netherlands, told me. This is why poachers aren't giving up: A rhino horn—made of keratin, similar to human fingernails—can sell for $40,000 or more on the illegal black market. Most of the demand comes from Southeast Asia and China, where some people buy rhino horns as a status symbol or use them in traditional medicines. "Searching for a couple of days [or] a couple of weeks is still worth it because there's an enormous profit margin," Eikelboom said. Over the past few decades, the South African government has implemented a range of strategies to combat this illegal activity, from pairing ranger teams with dog patrol units to dehorning rhinos in Kruger. While South Africa has seen a modest decrease in rhino poaching incidents across Kruger in recent years, Eikelboom and his co-author, Herbert Prins, another ecologist at Wageningen University, wanted to determine if part of the reason for the decline was the smaller pool of animals to hunt. To do this, they used a model that calculated how far poachers moved on average from 2007 to 2022 to find a rhino in the context of the dwindling rhino densities. Their data reveals that poaching activity has proportionally remained consistent as rhino populations have dipped, despite the more stringent anti-poaching measures. "We have to look at the relative numbers, like how [many rhinos] are being killed on a percentage basis instead of an absolute number," Eikelboom said. The research shows that anti-poaching efforts have not been strong enough to prevent population decline, the authors say, because illegal hunting activity should have gone down no matter what. "It's a fantastic first step in trying to quantify the issue and then setting up hypotheses for others to test," said Dave Balfour, an independent conservation ecologist who wasn't involved in the study. Balfour chairs the African Rhino Specialist Group of the nonprofit International Union for Conservation of Nature's African Species Survival Commission. "Conserving rhinos in an area the size of Kruger, which is huge, is ideal for every purpose except the security needs of the species, and that's because it's just extremely difficult to secure an area that size." However, Balfour sees limitations with some of the paper's assumptions. Its model follows the premise that many poachers are searching for rhinos without much information about where to look and that these "naive" poachers have to travel an average distance before stumbling upon one. "I'm not sure that there is such a thing as a naive poacher. Just about every poaching incident relies on some form of internal-collaboration corruption," Balfour said. "So how naive these poachers are is highly questionable, and whether the rhinos are broadly, evenly spread through the landscape, as I read in the paper, is also questionable." Risks From All Sides: Rhino conservation is an exceedingly complex issue in South Africa. Many of the communities surrounding Kruger and other rhino habitats are impoverished, and unemployment rates in the country surpass 30 percent. Experts say these conditions are often the reason that individuals might risk dangerous wildlife encounters or a 25-year jail sentence to track down rhino horns. While poaching incidents have decreased in Kruger, they increased in the country overall last year, with 499 rhinos killed—51 more than in 2022, the BBC reports. Rising temperatures and unpredictable rainfall due to climate change could soon be compounding the problem, according to a study published in January. Rhino skin has very few sweat glands. That makes the animals particularly vulnerable to heat because they cannot cool off on a hot day by sweating like humans can. Instead, they must consume a lot of water or seek out shade to prevent heat stress. But the study found that climate change will likely push rhinos to the upper heat threshold that they can handle and require them to travel greater distances to access watering holes. "Wildlife, and even humans, have to actually travel farther and farther to find water and that means that … the risk of poaching, the risk of habitat destruction or other types of interactions, will start to increase," study author Timothy Randhir, an ecologist at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, told me. He and the other authors say that the South African government could plant more trees and add watering holes to the landscape to help minimize these interactions and provide cooling spaces for the rhinos. However, the poaching issue is not going to be easy to solve. As the South African government continues to invest in anti-poaching measures, poachers are creating innovative strategies to get around them, reports Bloomberg. In the long term, Eikelboom and co-authors of the poaching study write, reducing the demand for rhino horn will allow these mammals to "safely roam the wide African savannas again." In the meantime, they say that smaller and more well-monitored "safe havens" for wildlife beyond Kruger will be crucial. More Top Climate News In California, regulators approved rules on Thursday to protect workers from rising indoor temperatures as a heat wave sizzles states across the East Coast and Midwest. The regulation from the California Division of Occupational Safety and Health will require employers in indoor industrial buildings to provide cool areas for workers when temperatures reach 82 degrees Fahrenheit. If temperatures surpass 87 degrees, employers must ensure the entire workspace is cooled and provide more breaks or change worker schedules. However, Associated Press reporter Dorany Pineda pointed out that the rules will not cover employees in state correctional facilities. "These workers are at risk of heat exhaustion and dehydration due to working in often archaic, poorly ventilated buildings with little protection from temperatures and that will only worsen in the coming years," AnaStacia Nicol Wright, policy manager with the workers rights organization Worksafe, told the AP. Meanwhile, an unprecedented number of mosquitoes are testing positive for West Nile virus around Las Vegas, reports NBC News. A growing body of research has found that climate change is expanding the geographic range for certain insects—and the diseases they carry. Experts say that Las Vegas' current situation is just another example of this phenomenon. "Mosquitoes typically thrive in wet and hot places," Nischay Mishra, an assistant professor of epidemiology at Columbia University, told NBC News. "But in Nevada, as smaller bodies of water dry up, they create shallow waters that are ideal for mosquito breeding." In other news, ProPublica's Lisa Song (an ICN alum) wrote a sprawling piece about how a chemical plastic recycling technique known as pyrolysis does not actually yield much recycled plastic. My colleague Jim Bruggers has

Whiskey Market size is set to grow by USD 37.53 billion from 2024-2028, Increasing demand for premium whiskey boost the market, Technavio

June 4, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The global whiskey market size is estimated to grow by USD 37.53 billion from 2024-2028, according to Technavio. The market is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 6.25% during the forecast period. For comprehensive forecast and historic data on regions, market segments, customer landscape, and companies- Key companies profiled Allied Blenders and Distillers Pvt. Ltd., Asahi Group Holdings Ltd., Bacardi Ltd., Beam Suntory Inc., Brown Forman Corp., Constellation Brands Inc., Campari Group, Diageo Plc, Heaven Hill Sales Co., John Distilleries Pvt. Ltd., Kirin Holdings Co. Ltd., Luxco Inc., LVMH Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton SE, Pernod Ricard SA, Sazerac Co. Inc., The Cotswold Distilling Co. Ltd., The Edrington Group Ltd., William Grant and Sons Ltd., and Woodinville Whiskey Co. Market Driver The global whiskey market is experiencing significant growth, with Irish whiskey and American bourbon leading the charge. Irish whiskey, though holding a small market share in 2020, is witnessing a rapid increase in demand. Factors contributing to this growth include its sweet and smooth taste, competitive pricing, and investments by major brands. Additionally, the demand among new and female consumers is on the rise. American bourbon's increasing popularity has resulted in increased production capacities and the establishment of new distilleries, particularly in Kentucky, US. The whiskey market is currently experiencing significant trends. Craftsmanship and uniqueness are key factors driving growth. Premium spirits, such as those produced in Craft distilleries, are increasingly popular. Whiskey from various regions, including Scotland, Ireland, and America, are in high demand. Tasting events and educational seminars are trending, allowing consumers to learn about different types and appreciate the artistry behind each bottle. Consumers are also seeking out limited edition and aged whiskeys, adding to the market's excitement. Cultivating a connection with consumers through storytelling and authenticity is essential for brands to stand out in this competitive industry. Market Challenges The global whiskey market faces significant competition from various alcoholic beverages like vodka, rum, brandy, mezcal, and tequila. In the US and other American countries, the rising demand for these spirits negatively impacts whiskey sales. European markets, including China's preference for Baijiu and growing popularity of other alcoholic beverages in countries like Singapore, the UK, and Germany pose challenges. Innovative marketing, product development, and customer base building are essential for whiskey manufacturers to thrive in this competitive market. The whiskey market faces several challenges in the current business environment. Dinkins and Consumption highlight the importance of understanding consumer preferences and behaviors. Marketers need to identify the key demographics and target them effectively. Drinkers seek authenticity and unique experiences, driving the demand for high-quality, artisanal whiskeys. Regarding production, changing regulations and increasing competition put pressure on manufacturers. The cost of raw materials, such as barley and water, also impacts profitability. Moreover, the aging process is crucial, and factors like climate and storage conditions can significantly influence the final product's taste and quality. Another challenge is the growing trend towards sustainability and eco-friendliness. Consumers are increasingly concerned about the environmental impact of production methods and packaging. Companies must adapt to these changing preferences and invest in more sustainable practices to remain competitive. Innovation is another key factor. Brands must differentiate themselves by offering unique flavors, aging techniques, or packaging. They can also explore new markets and distribution channels to expand their reach. In summary, the whiskey market faces challenges related to consumer preferences, production costs, regulations, sustainability, and competition. Companies must adapt to these trends and invest in innovation to remain competitive. Research report provides comprehensive data on impact of trend, driver and challenges - Request a sample report! Segment Overview Distribution Channel 1.1 Off trade 1.2 On trade Product 2.1 Scotch whiskey 2.2 American whiskey 2.3 Canadian whiskey 2.4 Irish whiskey 2.5 Others Geography 3.1 APAC 3.2 Middle East and 1.1 Off trade- Whiskey market experiences steady growth, driven by increasing consumer preference for premium spirits. Key players expand their production capacity to meet demand. Distribution channels broaden, reaching more consumers worldwide. Whiskey's rich taste and tradition continue to attract new customers, ensuring market sustainability. For more information on market segmentation with geographical analysis including forecast (2024-2028) and historic data (2017-2021) - Download a Sample Report Research Analysis The whiskey market, a significant segment of the global alcoholic beverages industry, has experienced notable growth in recent years. Millennials, with their unique consumption patterns and purchasing power, have contributed significantly to this trend. In Western countries, spirits such as whiskey, beer, and wine have seen a resurgence in popularity, particularly in the on-trade sector. The digital frontier has also played a role, with consumers researching ingredients, provenance, and originality before making purchases. The global whiskey market, including Scotch whiskey and emerging markets, has seen robust imports, driven by the desire for quality and authenticity. Spirit tourism has further fueled demand, offering consumers a firsthand experience of the production process. However, limitations such as regulations and taxes continue to impact sales in various alcohol shops. The changing consumer lifestyle and the emergence of new markets continue to shape the future of the whiskey market. Market Research Overview The Whiskey Market encompasses a wide range of spirits produced from fermented grain mash, specifically barley, corn, rye, and wheat. The production process involves distillation and aging in oak barrels, imparting unique flavors and aromas. The market witnesses continuous growth due to increasing consumer preference for premium and super-premium whiskeys. Consumers appreciate the complex taste profiles and rich history behind these spirits. Various types of whiskey include Scotch, Irish, Bourbon, and Tennessee. Innovative marketing strategies, such as limited editions and collaborations, further fuel market growth. The industry caters to both domestic and international markets, with significant demand in regions like Europe and North America. Consumers' shifting preferences towards organic and non-GMO whiskeys also impact market trends. 1 Executive Summary 2 Market Landscape 3 Market Sizing 4 Historic Market Size 5 Five Forces Analysis 6 Market Segmentation Distribution Channel Off Trade On Trade Product Scotch Whiskey American Whiskey Canadian Whiskey Irish Whiskey Others Geography APAC Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. Their research and analysis focuses on emerging market trends and provides actionable insights to help businesses identify market opportunities and develop effective strategies to optimize their market positions. With over 500 specialized analysts, Technavio's report library consists of more than 17,000 reports and counting, covering 800 technologies, spanning across 50 countries. Their client base consists of enterprises of all sizes, including more than 100 Fortune 500 companies. This growing client base relies on Technavio's comprehensive coverage, extensive research, and actionable market insights to identify opportunities in existing and potential markets and assess their competitive positions within changing market scenarios.

entertainment

Whiskey Market size is set to grow by USD 37.53 billion from 2024-2028, Increasing demand for premium whiskey boost the market, Technavio. June 4, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The global whiskey market size is estimated to grow by USD 37.53 billion from 2024-2028, according to Technavio. The market is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 6.25% during the forecast period. For comprehensive forecast and historic data on regions, market segments, customer landscape, and companies- Key companies profiled Allied Blenders and Distillers Pvt. Ltd., Asahi Group Holdings Ltd., Bacardi Ltd., Beam Suntory Inc., Brown Forman Corp., Constellation Brands Inc., Campari Group, Diageo Plc, Heaven Hill Sales Co., John Distilleries Pvt. Ltd., Kirin Holdings Co. Ltd., Luxco Inc., LVMH Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton SE, Pernod Ricard SA, Sazerac Co. Inc., The Cotswold Distilling Co. Ltd., The Edrington Group Ltd., William Grant and Sons Ltd., and Woodinville Whiskey Co. Market Driver The global whiskey market is experiencing significant growth, with Irish whiskey and American bourbon leading the charge. Irish whiskey, though holding a small market share in 2020, is witnessing a rapid increase in demand. Factors contributing to this growth include its sweet and smooth taste, competitive pricing, and investments by major brands. Additionally, the demand among new and female consumers is on the rise. American bourbon's increasing popularity has resulted in increased production capacities and the establishment of new distilleries, particularly in Kentucky, US. The whiskey market is currently experiencing significant trends. Craftsmanship and uniqueness are key factors driving growth. Premium spirits, such as those produced in Craft distilleries, are increasingly popular. Whiskey from various regions, including Scotland, Ireland, and America, are in high demand. Tasting events and educational seminars are trending, allowing consumers to learn about different types and appreciate the artistry behind each bottle. Consumers are also seeking out limited edition and aged whiskeys, adding to the market's excitement. Cultivating a connection with consumers through storytelling and authenticity is essential for brands to stand out in this competitive industry. Market Challenges The global whiskey market faces significant competition from various alcoholic beverages like vodka, rum, brandy, mezcal, and tequila. In the US and other American countries, the rising demand for these spirits negatively impacts whiskey sales. European markets, including China's preference for Baijiu and growing popularity of other alcoholic beverages in countries like Singapore, the UK, and Germany pose challenges. Innovative marketing, product development, and customer base building are essential for whiskey manufacturers to thrive in this competitive market. The whiskey market faces several challenges in the current business environment. Dinkins and Consumption highlight the importance of understanding consumer preferences and behaviors. Marketers need to identify the key demographics and target them effectively. Drinkers seek authenticity and unique experiences, driving the demand for high-quality, artisanal whiskeys. Regarding production, changing regulations and increasing competition put pressure on manufacturers. The cost of raw materials, such as barley and water, also impacts profitability. Moreover, the aging process is crucial, and factors like climate and storage conditions can significantly influence the final product's taste and quality. Another challenge is the growing trend towards sustainability and eco-friendliness. Consumers are increasingly concerned about the environmental impact of production methods and packaging. Companies must adapt to these changing preferences and invest in more sustainable practices to remain competitive. Innovation is another key factor. Brands must differentiate themselves by offering unique flavors, aging techniques, or packaging. They can also explore new markets and distribution channels to expand their reach. In summary, the whiskey market faces challenges related to consumer preferences, production costs, regulations, sustainability, and competition. Companies must adapt to these trends and invest in innovation to remain competitive. Research report provides comprehensive data on impact of trend, driver and challenges - Request a sample report! Segment Overview Distribution Channel 1.1 Off trade 1.2 On trade Product 2.1 Scotch whiskey 2.2 American whiskey 2.3 Canadian whiskey 2.4 Irish whiskey 2.5 Others Geography 3.1 APAC 3.2 Middle East and 1.1 Off trade- Whiskey market experiences steady growth, driven by increasing consumer preference for premium spirits. Key players expand their production capacity to meet demand. Distribution channels broaden, reaching more consumers worldwide. Whiskey's rich taste and tradition continue to attract new customers, ensuring market sustainability. For more information on market segmentation with geographical analysis including forecast (2024-2028) and historic data (2017-2021) - Download a Sample Report Research Analysis The whiskey market, a significant segment of the global alcoholic beverages industry, has experienced notable growth in recent years. Millennials, with their unique consumption patterns and purchasing power, have contributed significantly to this trend. In Western countries, spirits such as whiskey, beer, and wine have seen a resurgence in popularity, particularly in the on-trade sector. The digital frontier has also played a role, with consumers researching ingredients, provenance, and originality before making purchases. The global whiskey market, including Scotch whiskey and emerging markets, has seen robust imports, driven by the desire for quality and authenticity. Spirit tourism has further fueled demand, offering consumers a firsthand experience of the production process. However, limitations such as regulations and taxes continue to impact sales in various alcohol shops. The changing consumer lifestyle and the emergence of new markets continue to shape the future of the whiskey market. Market Research Overview The Whiskey Market encompasses a wide range of spirits produced from fermented grain mash, specifically barley, corn, rye, and wheat. The production process involves distillation and aging in oak barrels, imparting unique flavors and aromas. The market witnesses continuous growth due to increasing consumer preference for premium and super-premium whiskeys. Consumers appreciate the complex taste profiles and rich history behind these spirits. Various types of whiskey include Scotch, Irish, Bourbon, and Tennessee. Innovative marketing strategies, such as limited editions and collaborations, further fuel market growth. The industry caters to both domestic and international markets, with significant demand in regions like Europe and North America. Consumers' shifting preferences towards organic and non-GMO whiskeys also impact market trends. 1 Executive Summary 2 Market Landscape 3 Market Sizing 4 Historic Market Size 5 Five Forces Analysis 6 Market Segmentation Distribution Channel Off Trade On Trade Product Scotch Whiskey American Whiskey Canadian Whiskey Irish Whiskey Others Geography APAC Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. Their research and analysis focuses on emerging market trends and provides actionable insights to help businesses identify market opportunities and develop effective strategies to optimize their market positions. With over 500 specialized analysts, Technavio's report library consists of more than 17,000 reports and counting, covering 800 technologies, spanning across 50 countries. Their client base consists of enterprises of all sizes, including more than 100 Fortune 500 companies. This growing client base relies on Technavio's comprehensive coverage, extensive research, and actionable market insights to identify opportunities in existing and potential markets and assess their competitive positions within changing market scenarios.

An NDP motion puts a big question to the test: Will Canada recognize Palestinian statehood?

NDP foreign affairs critic has brought forward an opposition day motion that calls on the government to take several actions in response to the war in Gaza. The most controversial and far-reaching is recognition of Palestinian statehood. The motion risks dividing the Liberals. Posted: Mar 18, 2024 4:00 AM EDT | Last Updated: 38 minutes ago Palestinians carry bags of flour they grabbed from an aid truck near an Israeli checkpoint on Feb. 19. A non-binding motion calls on Canada's government to take a number of actions in response to the Israel-Hamas war, including that it should 'officially recognize the State of Palestine.' (Kosay Al Nemer/Reuters) An opposition day motion brought forward by the NDP's foreign affairs critic Monday could set the cat among the pigeons in the federal Liberal caucus. The non-binding motion calls on the government to take a number of actions in response to the war in the Middle East, including that it should "officially recognize the State of Palestine." The motion was sponsored by NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh with the party's foreign affairs critic, Heather McPherson, acting as the point person. "We wrote this in a way that it's not supposed to be a 'gotcha' motion," she said. "This was supposed to be a motion that aligned with international law, aligns with Canadian policy. So we're hopeful that we will have some support from the Liberals and we're certainly seeing more movement from them over the last few days." Ottawa slow-walking Israel's request for permission to import armoured vehicles: sources A third of children under 2 in north Gaza are acutely malnourished, UN says 'I expect there will be a split:' Liberal MP But the motion is also expected to divide the government caucus. "It's not the perfect motion by any means, and no motion is. But when you look at the broad strokes of it, this is a push to support human rights," said Liberal MP Nathaniel Erskine-Smith, who told CBC News that he will back it despite reservations. "And I think it emphasizes Canada's role in this, which is to focus on and preserve human rights and peace." NDP Member of Parliament for Edmonton—Strathcona Heather McPherson is shown in the House of Commons on April 27, 2022. She is acting as point person on the opposition day motion. (Adrian Wyld/The Canadian Press) Erskine-Smith, MP for the Toronto riding of Beaches—East York, says he has heard a wide range of views from his constituents on the topic, but "my inbox is full of people saying, 'We want the violence to end, we want civilians to be protected, we don't want to see more casualties. We don't want to see more kids die. And Canada has to do more to end the violence.'" Erskine-Smith also knows that his view is not shared by everyone in his party. "I expect there will be a split," he said. "I think the government position will obviously matter a great deal to my colleagues." 'A huge slap in the face:' Housefather One Liberal who definitely intends to oppose the motion is Montreal's Anthony Housefather. "It's incredibly meaningful in the sense that this would be a huge slap in the face to the vast majority of Canada's Jewish community," he told CBC News. Housefather, MP for Mount Royal, says he objects to clauses in the motion that call for an immediate ceasefire, and for the suspension of all sales of military equipment to Israel. He called it an "anti-Israel motion." "Because it's a motion that essentially rewards Hamas for attacking Israel," Housefather said. "It changes 50 years of consecutive Liberal and conservative governments positions on the recognition of a Palestinian state to move away from the fact that it's something that would have to be negotiated by the parties where they agree on a territory and normally do recognize the state." Liberal Member of Parliament Anthony Housefather talks to reporters as he arrives to a caucus meeting in Ottawa on Nov. 8. He has hinted that he may leave the Liberal caucus if cabinet members back Palestinian statehood. (Sean Kilpatrick/The Canadian Press) Housefather pointed out that no G7 country has yet recognized Palestinian statehood; Canada would be the first. Indeed, a map of the world shows a stark North-South and East-West split on recognition. Of the UN's 193 member states, 139 have recognized Palestine, including almost every country in South and Central America, Africa, Asia and Eastern Europe (mostly from their time in the Soviet Bloc). Trudeau's eight years in office have produced a more uniformly anti-Palestinian UN voting record than even his famously pro-Israel predecessor Stephen Harper, but there have been some recent adjustments. Starting in 2019, the Trudeau government began to vote in favour of an annual motion supporting Palestinian self-determination, although the prime minister has played down the significance of the change in comments to the Jewish community. Women in Gaza giving birth without enough painkillers, clean water or food The Trudeau government has also sought to prevent Palestine from advancing its case for statehood through the courts. Three different Liberal foreign ministers have written to the International Court of Justice or the International Criminal Court asking it to refuse to hear Palestinian cases, partly on the grounds that Israel does not recognize the court. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has personally written to Trudeau to ask for those Canadian interventions on behalf of Israel. When the International Court of Justice met last month to consider the "legal consequences arising from the policies and practices of Israel in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem," the Trudeau government's submission again asked it to refuse to hear the case on the grounds that Israel did not recognize the court's jurisdiction, and that those matters were best left to negotiations between the parties. The argument is not if, but when McPherson says that Canada's official position that there should not be movement toward recognition until after final-status talks between the two parties is "an excuse." "This is a moment in time where we need to come up with a better solution for peace in the Middle East," she said. Housefather says he agrees that "the two-state solution is absolutely necessary." But "this is not the time to recognize a Palestinian state suddenly in contradiction to what our policy has been for decades. Because what this would do is say the policy has changed," he said. "Why has the policy changed? Because Hamas started a war. And so I would be aghast, aghast if Canada changed its position as a result." This boy — one of thousands orphaned in Gaza — hopes Canada will let him start over McPherson disagrees. "I don't believe that stopping killing children, the end of the bloodshed, the end of starvation, getting humanitarian aid to innocent people, getting the conflict to stop so that we are, we are able to move toward something that's more peaceful and just for Israelis and Palestinians, I don't think that's rewarding Hamas," she said. US, UK, France all inch toward recognition Canada is not the only country where the idea of unilateral recognition of Palestine, without waiting for Israel, has gained ground since the war in Gaza began. The Biden administration, U.K. Foreign Secretary David Cameron and French President Emmanuel Macron have all sent signals that they are moving in that direction. Last month the Biden official leaked the news that it was not just thinking about recognition, but actively drawing up plans for recognition to go into effect once the war in Gaza ends. That came just days after Cameron, a former prime minister, said British recognition of Palestine "can't come at the start of the process, but it doesn't have to be the very end of the process." Last month France's Emmanuel Macron said his country had come to the same conclusion. "Recognizing a Palestinian state is not a taboo for France,'' Macron said after meeting in Paris with Jordan's King Abdullah. "We owe it to Palestinians, whose aspirations have been trampled on for too long. We owe it to Israelis, who lived through the worst antisemitic massacre of our time." Warnings of red lines Some of the measures the motion calls for have already happened. For example, it calls on the government to "immediately reinstate funding and ensure long-term continued funding to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), and support the independent investigation." Canada restored funding to UNRWA on March 8, and has said it will support the investigations by both the UN's investigative office and by former French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna. What does restored funding mean for UNRWA's future? The motion also calls on the government to "support the work of the International Court of Justice and the International Criminal Court," which the government has said it will do. Housefather says he knows some of his caucus colleagues will support Monday's motion, but he's less concerned with how backbenchers vote than members of cabinet. "I will be actively watching what the government position is on Monday, how the vote goes. And I will obviously, as I continue to do, speak out in terms of what I believe is right," he said. Housefather hinted that he might not remain in caucus if cabinet members backed recognition. McPherson says she is hoping for a win but knows the vote faces an uphill climb.

politics

An NDP motion puts a big question to the test: Will Canada recognize Palestinian statehood?. NDP foreign affairs critic has brought forward an opposition day motion that calls on the government to take several actions in response to the war in Gaza. The most controversial and far-reaching is recognition of Palestinian statehood. The motion risks dividing the Liberals. Posted: Mar 18, 2024 4:00 AM EDT | Last Updated: 38 minutes ago Palestinians carry bags of flour they grabbed from an aid truck near an Israeli checkpoint on Feb. 19. A non-binding motion calls on Canada's government to take a number of actions in response to the Israel-Hamas war, including that it should 'officially recognize the State of Palestine.' (Kosay Al Nemer/Reuters) An opposition day motion brought forward by the NDP's foreign affairs critic Monday could set the cat among the pigeons in the federal Liberal caucus. The non-binding motion calls on the government to take a number of actions in response to the war in the Middle East, including that it should "officially recognize the State of Palestine." The motion was sponsored by NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh with the party's foreign affairs critic, Heather McPherson, acting as the point person. "We wrote this in a way that it's not supposed to be a 'gotcha' motion," she said. "This was supposed to be a motion that aligned with international law, aligns with Canadian policy. So we're hopeful that we will have some support from the Liberals and we're certainly seeing more movement from them over the last few days." Ottawa slow-walking Israel's request for permission to import armoured vehicles: sources A third of children under 2 in north Gaza are acutely malnourished, UN says 'I expect there will be a split:' Liberal MP But the motion is also expected to divide the government caucus. "It's not the perfect motion by any means, and no motion is. But when you look at the broad strokes of it, this is a push to support human rights," said Liberal MP Nathaniel Erskine-Smith, who told CBC News that he will back it despite reservations. "And I think it emphasizes Canada's role in this, which is to focus on and preserve human rights and peace." NDP Member of Parliament for Edmonton—Strathcona Heather McPherson is shown in the House of Commons on April 27, 2022. She is acting as point person on the opposition day motion. (Adrian Wyld/The Canadian Press) Erskine-Smith, MP for the Toronto riding of Beaches—East York, says he has heard a wide range of views from his constituents on the topic, but "my inbox is full of people saying, 'We want the violence to end, we want civilians to be protected, we don't want to see more casualties. We don't want to see more kids die. And Canada has to do more to end the violence.'" Erskine-Smith also knows that his view is not shared by everyone in his party. "I expect there will be a split," he said. "I think the government position will obviously matter a great deal to my colleagues." 'A huge slap in the face:' Housefather One Liberal who definitely intends to oppose the motion is Montreal's Anthony Housefather. "It's incredibly meaningful in the sense that this would be a huge slap in the face to the vast majority of Canada's Jewish community," he told CBC News. Housefather, MP for Mount Royal, says he objects to clauses in the motion that call for an immediate ceasefire, and for the suspension of all sales of military equipment to Israel. He called it an "anti-Israel motion." "Because it's a motion that essentially rewards Hamas for attacking Israel," Housefather said. "It changes 50 years of consecutive Liberal and conservative governments positions on the recognition of a Palestinian state to move away from the fact that it's something that would have to be negotiated by the parties where they agree on a territory and normally do recognize the state." Liberal Member of Parliament Anthony Housefather talks to reporters as he arrives to a caucus meeting in Ottawa on Nov. 8. He has hinted that he may leave the Liberal caucus if cabinet members back Palestinian statehood. (Sean Kilpatrick/The Canadian Press) Housefather pointed out that no G7 country has yet recognized Palestinian statehood; Canada would be the first. Indeed, a map of the world shows a stark North-South and East-West split on recognition. Of the UN's 193 member states, 139 have recognized Palestine, including almost every country in South and Central America, Africa, Asia and Eastern Europe (mostly from their time in the Soviet Bloc). Trudeau's eight years in office have produced a more uniformly anti-Palestinian UN voting record than even his famously pro-Israel predecessor Stephen Harper, but there have been some recent adjustments. Starting in 2019, the Trudeau government began to vote in favour of an annual motion supporting Palestinian self-determination, although the prime minister has played down the significance of the change in comments to the Jewish community. Women in Gaza giving birth without enough painkillers, clean water or food The Trudeau government has also sought to prevent Palestine from advancing its case for statehood through the courts. Three different Liberal foreign ministers have written to the International Court of Justice or the International Criminal Court asking it to refuse to hear Palestinian cases, partly on the grounds that Israel does not recognize the court. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has personally written to Trudeau to ask for those Canadian interventions on behalf of Israel. When the International Court of Justice met last month to consider the "legal consequences arising from the policies and practices of Israel in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem," the Trudeau government's submission again asked it to refuse to hear the case on the grounds that Israel did not recognize the court's jurisdiction, and that those matters were best left to negotiations between the parties. The argument is not if, but when McPherson says that Canada's official position that there should not be movement toward recognition until after final-status talks between the two parties is "an excuse." "This is a moment in time where we need to come up with a better solution for peace in the Middle East," she said. Housefather says he agrees that "the two-state solution is absolutely necessary." But "this is not the time to recognize a Palestinian state suddenly in contradiction to what our policy has been for decades. Because what this would do is say the policy has changed," he said. "Why has the policy changed? Because Hamas started a war. And so I would be aghast, aghast if Canada changed its position as a result." This boy — one of thousands orphaned in Gaza — hopes Canada will let him start over McPherson disagrees. "I don't believe that stopping killing children, the end of the bloodshed, the end of starvation, getting humanitarian aid to innocent people, getting the conflict to stop so that we are, we are able to move toward something that's more peaceful and just for Israelis and Palestinians, I don't think that's rewarding Hamas," she said. US, UK, France all inch toward recognition Canada is not the only country where the idea of unilateral recognition of Palestine, without waiting for Israel, has gained ground since the war in Gaza began. The Biden administration, U.K. Foreign Secretary David Cameron and French President Emmanuel Macron have all sent signals that they are moving in that direction. Last month the Biden official leaked the news that it was not just thinking about recognition, but actively drawing up plans for recognition to go into effect once the war in Gaza ends. That came just days after Cameron, a former prime minister, said British recognition of Palestine "can't come at the start of the process, but it doesn't have to be the very end of the process." Last month France's Emmanuel Macron said his country had come to the same conclusion. "Recognizing a Palestinian state is not a taboo for France,'' Macron said after meeting in Paris with Jordan's King Abdullah. "We owe it to Palestinians, whose aspirations have been trampled on for too long. We owe it to Israelis, who lived through the worst antisemitic massacre of our time." Warnings of red lines Some of the measures the motion calls for have already happened. For example, it calls on the government to "immediately reinstate funding and ensure long-term continued funding to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), and support the independent investigation." Canada restored funding to UNRWA on March 8, and has said it will support the investigations by both the UN's investigative office and by former French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna. What does restored funding mean for UNRWA's future? The motion also calls on the government to "support the work of the International Court of Justice and the International Criminal Court," which the government has said it will do. Housefather says he knows some of his caucus colleagues will support Monday's motion, but he's less concerned with how backbenchers vote than members of cabinet. "I will be actively watching what the government position is on Monday, how the vote goes. And I will obviously, as I continue to do, speak out in terms of what I believe is right," he said. Housefather hinted that he might not remain in caucus if cabinet members backed recognition. McPherson says she is hoping for a win but knows the vote faces an uphill climb.

AstraZeneca to withdraw Covid vaccine

Its vaccine was estimated to have saved millions of lives during the pandemic, but also caused rare, and sometimes fatal, blood clots. In the race to lift the world out of pandemic lockdowns, the Covid vaccine was developed by scientists at the University of Oxford in record time. A process that normally takes 10 years was accelerated down to about 10 months. it was heralded as "a vaccine for the world" as it was far cheaper and easier to store than other Covid vaccines. The pharmaceutical giant AstraZeneca had agreed to manufacture it en masse. Initially, it was the cornerstone of the UK's plans to vaccinate our way out of lockdown. "The truth is it made an enormous difference, it was what lifted us out of the catastrophe that was unfolding at the time, combined with the other vaccine from Pfizer," said Prof Adam Finn, from the University of Bristol. However, its reputation was dented as unusual blood clots emerged as a rare side effect of the vaccine, and the UK turned to alternatives. In a statement, AstraZeneca said: "According to independent estimates, over 6.5 million lives were saved in the first year of use alone. "Our efforts have been recognised by governments around the world and are widely regarded as being a critical component of ending the global pandemic." It said the development of new vaccines that more closely match the mutated forms of Covid that are now circulating meant there was a "surplus of available updated vaccines", leading to a "decline in demand" for its vaccine which is "no longer being manufactured or supplied". Prof Finn added: "I think the withdrawal of the vaccine simply reflects it's no longer useful.

health

AstraZeneca to withdraw Covid vaccine. Its vaccine was estimated to have saved millions of lives during the pandemic, but also caused rare, and sometimes fatal, blood clots. In the race to lift the world out of pandemic lockdowns, the Covid vaccine was developed by scientists at the University of Oxford in record time. A process that normally takes 10 years was accelerated down to about 10 months. it was heralded as "a vaccine for the world" as it was far cheaper and easier to store than other Covid vaccines. The pharmaceutical giant AstraZeneca had agreed to manufacture it en masse. Initially, it was the cornerstone of the UK's plans to vaccinate our way out of lockdown. "The truth is it made an enormous difference, it was what lifted us out of the catastrophe that was unfolding at the time, combined with the other vaccine from Pfizer," said Prof Adam Finn, from the University of Bristol. However, its reputation was dented as unusual blood clots emerged as a rare side effect of the vaccine, and the UK turned to alternatives. In a statement, AstraZeneca said: "According to independent estimates, over 6.5 million lives were saved in the first year of use alone. "Our efforts have been recognised by governments around the world and are widely regarded as being a critical component of ending the global pandemic." It said the development of new vaccines that more closely match the mutated forms of Covid that are now circulating meant there was a "surplus of available updated vaccines", leading to a "decline in demand" for its vaccine which is "no longer being manufactured or supplied". Prof Finn added: "I think the withdrawal of the vaccine simply reflects it's no longer useful.

Sink Your Teeth Into Orange Comet’s AMC’s ‘Interview with the Vampire’ NFTs

Disclaimer: The following article is part of Cryptonews Deals Series and was written as a promotional article in collaboration with the sponsor of this offer. If your company has an exclusive promotion that you would like to share with our readers, we invite you to reach out to us. Let’s build together. There will definitely be blood on the blockchain this week. A stunningly beautiful and formidable force will crawl up from the catacombs to stake its claim in Web3 and sink its teeth into the masses. Premium Web3 entertainment company Orange Comet invites you to join the dangerously wicked, lustful, and gorgeous world of the undead, into a world filled with blood, love, lust, and a hefty dose of terror. Welcome to the Immortal Universe of Anne Rice. The invitation to immortality and to live forever on the blockchain, you will first need to obtain an Immortal Pass. NFT super studio Orange Comet is once again partnering with the AMC network to create Anne Rice’s Interview with the Vampire NFT Collection . Minting December 8th. The Immortal Pass is your key to the exclusive NFT collection, and is based on the cult classic gothic horror novel of the same name. This project is the second collaboration between Orange Comet and AMC (their other NFT collection is based on cult phenomenon TV series “The Walking Dead.”) The Immortal Pass The Immortal Pass is your ticket to a dark, rich fantastical virtual collect-to-earn Universe where you will embark on a frightening and thrilling journey. The three different pass rarities—Legendary, Rare, and Common—will be revealed a couple of weeks after December 8th (the mint date). With each Rarity, you will receive a future Avatar(s) airdropped into your wallet: LEGENDARY (10%)-Legendary Immortal Pass holder will receive three (3) Vampire Avatars. RARE (20%)-Rare Immortal Pass holder will receive two (2) Vampire Avatars. COMMON (70%)-Common Immortal Pass holder will receive one (1) Vampire Avatar. This pass will give collectors a feel of the action from six feet under and up, digging up new and exciting content throughout the epic journey. Besides granting immortality on the blockchain, the Immortal Pass also provides members-only benefits, which include access to: The Immortal Universe where you can Collect-2-Earn Real World Experiences, including trips to VIP vampire tours in New Orleans, Dubai and other Interview with the Vampire key filming locations, vampire events, etc. Autographed Collectibles and Merch Lower Mint Price on Interview with the Vampire NFTs Exclusive Limited Editions of Interview with the Vampire Mints Each Immortal Pass will reveal a living work of art, including a creepy coffin that creeks open after dusk and closes before dawn, based on your current location. If you’re lucky, you may even witness the opening of your coffin. The collection is limited to 3,333 Immortal Passes so don’t sleep on this one! The mint will take place on OpenSea on Thursday, December 8 and will be available to purchase with ETH (who knows…maybe even BLOOD). About Orange Comet Orange Comet is a premiere Web3 entertainment company whose single focus is to tell stories through making stuff that truly matters. Led by an impressively talented team of well known and experienced media creators, producers, and artists, they have deep media expertise and industry-leading creative technologists. Orange Comet was co-founded by veteran producer Dave Broome, Grammy award-winning recording team Gloria and Emilio Estefan, and NFL Hall of Famer Kurt Warner. Together with the staff at Orange Comet, they are a dedicated and passionate group who firmly believes the Blockchain is the next frontier in the future of entertainment and media. Orange Comet has collaborated with some of the most recognizable brands and artists on the planet, including world renowned actor Sir Anthony Hopkins. The Web3 company aims to create groundbreaking NFT experiences to build communities with passionate fanbases, top notch creative content & storytelling, interactive technology and outstanding utility. On the Interview with the Vampire project, Orange Comet CEO Dave Broome said, “AMC has created universes full of vivid imagery, memorable characters, and a vast scope that feeds into the intensive and thoughtful creative process at Orange Comet, allowing us to continue crafting the best-in-class digital experiences that will surely keep audiences engaged with the franchises for years to come.” Born out of dynamic design, a commitment to innovation, and proprietary technology; Orange Comet is creating unprecedented ecosystems in the world of Web3. About AMC Networks AMC Networks is a global entertainment company widely renowned for its popular content, with its Walking Dead series being the most popular show. The company brand also offers streaming services such as Acron TV, AMC+, Shudder, ALLBLK, SundanceTV, and the anime-dominant HIDIVE streaming service. The company also runs its in-house studio, AMC studios. AMC studios are behind the production and distribution of their most popular TV franchise, The Walking Dead, and the Anne Rice catalog. According to Clayton Neuman, the Vice President of games at AMC, “As The Walking Dead Universe enters its exciting second chapter, and we embark on the launch of our next epic franchise with Anne Rice’s Interview with the Vampire, we’re excited to continue working with Orange Comet to deliver our viewers a world-class digital collectible experience that complements and enhances their favorite shows.” About OpenSea The OpenSea platform is the world’s premier digital marketplace serving crypto collectibles and NFTs. A critical part of their vision is the development of vibrant economies through open protocols such as Ethereum. They are designing tools that will allow consumers to trade their items freely. Anne Rice’s Interview with the Vampire AMCs’ Interview with the Vampire’ is just the beginning of what AMC dubs ‘The Immortal Universe.’ This move kicked off with AMC purchasing the rights to most of Anne Rice’s most famous works. AMC announced this back in May of 2020, with the network buying up 18 of Anne Rice’s novels The new series is a gothic horror and vampire series created by Rolin Jones. The series is based on Anne Rice’s novel of the same name. The Vampire Chronicles, in particular, sets the premise for this series. The series follows the story of love, blood, and the dangers of immorality. The Interview with the Vampire NFTs will end up in the development of an exciting digital destination filled with lore and monsters. Anne Rice’s sexually charged novels will set the premise for the virtual world, featuring witches, spooky events, and many supernatural activities! For more on this, keep an eye out for any releases from Orange Comet touching on this and other new projects! The post Sink Your Teeth Into Orange Comet’s AMC’s ‘Interview with the Vampire’ NFTs appeared first on Cryptonews .

crypto

Sink Your Teeth Into Orange Comet’s AMC’s ‘Interview with the Vampire’ NFTs. Disclaimer: The following article is part of Cryptonews Deals Series and was written as a promotional article in collaboration with the sponsor of this offer. If your company has an exclusive promotion that you would like to share with our readers, we invite you to reach out to us. Let’s build together. There will definitely be blood on the blockchain this week. A stunningly beautiful and formidable force will crawl up from the catacombs to stake its claim in Web3 and sink its teeth into the masses. Premium Web3 entertainment company Orange Comet invites you to join the dangerously wicked, lustful, and gorgeous world of the undead, into a world filled with blood, love, lust, and a hefty dose of terror. Welcome to the Immortal Universe of Anne Rice. The invitation to immortality and to live forever on the blockchain, you will first need to obtain an Immortal Pass. NFT super studio Orange Comet is once again partnering with the AMC network to create Anne Rice’s Interview with the Vampire NFT Collection . Minting December 8th. The Immortal Pass is your key to the exclusive NFT collection, and is based on the cult classic gothic horror novel of the same name. This project is the second collaboration between Orange Comet and AMC (their other NFT collection is based on cult phenomenon TV series “The Walking Dead.”) The Immortal Pass The Immortal Pass is your ticket to a dark, rich fantastical virtual collect-to-earn Universe where you will embark on a frightening and thrilling journey. The three different pass rarities—Legendary, Rare, and Common—will be revealed a couple of weeks after December 8th (the mint date). With each Rarity, you will receive a future Avatar(s) airdropped into your wallet: LEGENDARY (10%)-Legendary Immortal Pass holder will receive three (3) Vampire Avatars. RARE (20%)-Rare Immortal Pass holder will receive two (2) Vampire Avatars. COMMON (70%)-Common Immortal Pass holder will receive one (1) Vampire Avatar. This pass will give collectors a feel of the action from six feet under and up, digging up new and exciting content throughout the epic journey. Besides granting immortality on the blockchain, the Immortal Pass also provides members-only benefits, which include access to: The Immortal Universe where you can Collect-2-Earn Real World Experiences, including trips to VIP vampire tours in New Orleans, Dubai and other Interview with the Vampire key filming locations, vampire events, etc. Autographed Collectibles and Merch Lower Mint Price on Interview with the Vampire NFTs Exclusive Limited Editions of Interview with the Vampire Mints Each Immortal Pass will reveal a living work of art, including a creepy coffin that creeks open after dusk and closes before dawn, based on your current location. If you’re lucky, you may even witness the opening of your coffin. The collection is limited to 3,333 Immortal Passes so don’t sleep on this one! The mint will take place on OpenSea on Thursday, December 8 and will be available to purchase with ETH (who knows…maybe even BLOOD). About Orange Comet Orange Comet is a premiere Web3 entertainment company whose single focus is to tell stories through making stuff that truly matters. Led by an impressively talented team of well known and experienced media creators, producers, and artists, they have deep media expertise and industry-leading creative technologists. Orange Comet was co-founded by veteran producer Dave Broome, Grammy award-winning recording team Gloria and Emilio Estefan, and NFL Hall of Famer Kurt Warner. Together with the staff at Orange Comet, they are a dedicated and passionate group who firmly believes the Blockchain is the next frontier in the future of entertainment and media. Orange Comet has collaborated with some of the most recognizable brands and artists on the planet, including world renowned actor Sir Anthony Hopkins. The Web3 company aims to create groundbreaking NFT experiences to build communities with passionate fanbases, top notch creative content & storytelling, interactive technology and outstanding utility. On the Interview with the Vampire project, Orange Comet CEO Dave Broome said, “AMC has created universes full of vivid imagery, memorable characters, and a vast scope that feeds into the intensive and thoughtful creative process at Orange Comet, allowing us to continue crafting the best-in-class digital experiences that will surely keep audiences engaged with the franchises for years to come.” Born out of dynamic design, a commitment to innovation, and proprietary technology; Orange Comet is creating unprecedented ecosystems in the world of Web3. About AMC Networks AMC Networks is a global entertainment company widely renowned for its popular content, with its Walking Dead series being the most popular show. The company brand also offers streaming services such as Acron TV, AMC+, Shudder, ALLBLK, SundanceTV, and the anime-dominant HIDIVE streaming service. The company also runs its in-house studio, AMC studios. AMC studios are behind the production and distribution of their most popular TV franchise, The Walking Dead, and the Anne Rice catalog. According to Clayton Neuman, the Vice President of games at AMC, “As The Walking Dead Universe enters its exciting second chapter, and we embark on the launch of our next epic franchise with Anne Rice’s Interview with the Vampire, we’re excited to continue working with Orange Comet to deliver our viewers a world-class digital collectible experience that complements and enhances their favorite shows.” About OpenSea The OpenSea platform is the world’s premier digital marketplace serving crypto collectibles and NFTs. A critical part of their vision is the development of vibrant economies through open protocols such as Ethereum. They are designing tools that will allow consumers to trade their items freely. Anne Rice’s Interview with the Vampire AMCs’ Interview with the Vampire’ is just the beginning of what AMC dubs ‘The Immortal Universe.’ This move kicked off with AMC purchasing the rights to most of Anne Rice’s most famous works. AMC announced this back in May of 2020, with the network buying up 18 of Anne Rice’s novels The new series is a gothic horror and vampire series created by Rolin Jones. The series is based on Anne Rice’s novel of the same name. The Vampire Chronicles, in particular, sets the premise for this series. The series follows the story of love, blood, and the dangers of immorality. The Interview with the Vampire NFTs will end up in the development of an exciting digital destination filled with lore and monsters. Anne Rice’s sexually charged novels will set the premise for the virtual world, featuring witches, spooky events, and many supernatural activities! For more on this, keep an eye out for any releases from Orange Comet touching on this and other new projects! The post Sink Your Teeth Into Orange Comet’s AMC’s ‘Interview with the Vampire’ NFTs appeared first on Cryptonews .

Top 5 moments during Trump-Biden debate showdown: 'I didn't have sex with a porn star'

There were several heated moments and pointed jabs during the first 2024 presidential debate between President Biden and former President Trump on Thursday night. Discussing a variety of topics, including immigration and the border, the war in Israel, and abortion, the candidates managed to land some punches and challenge one another on their respective records. CNN FLASH POLL SHOWS TRUMP AS CLEAR WINNER OF FIRST PRESIDENTIAL DEBATE: 'STUNNING NUMBER' Here are the top five moments from the presidential debate, which was hosted by CNN. During the debate, Biden hit Trump over the various criminal cases he is involved in, including the New York trial that ended with Trump's conviction for falsifying business records. The records were related to alleged hush money payments to adult film star Stormy Daniels, who Trump allegedly had an affair with. However, Trump shot back at Biden, claiming, "I didn't have sex with a porn star." PRESIDENTIAL DEBATE SHOWDOWN BETWEEN BIDEN, TRUMP WAS FESTIVAL OF THE UNPRECEDENTED "He was so bad with Afghanistan," Trump claimed during the debate, calling it "such a horrible embarrassment." "He should have fired those generals like I fired the one that you mentioned, and so he's got no love lost, but he should have fired those generals," he added. "No general got fired for the most embarrassing moment in the history of our country, Afghanistan, where we left billions of dollars of equipment behind. We lost 13 beautiful soldiers and 38 soldiers were obliterated." TRUMP RIPS BIDEN FOR NOT FIRING GENERALS AFTER BOTCHED AFGHANISTAN WITHDRAWAL: 'INCOMPETENCE' The president slammed Trump's claims he could be prosecuted, brushing it off as "outrageous." "Joe could be a convicted felon with all of the things that he’s done," Trump claimed. "This man is a criminal. This man — you’re lucky. You’re lucky. I did nothing wrong. We’d have a system that was rigged and disgusting. I did nothing wrong," he added. Biden shot back, "the idea that I did anything wrong is outrageous." TRUMP'S CLEAR-CUT DEBATE VICTORY OVER BIDEN RAISES AWKWARD QUESTION ABOUT 2024 CAMPAIGN Biden pushed back on Trump after the former president said he would allow late term abortions to occur. "So that means he can take the life of the baby in the ninth month and even after birth? Because some states Democrat-run take it after birth. The former governor of Virginia: ‘put the baby down, then we decide what to do with it.’ So, he’s willing to, as we say, rip the baby out of the womb in the ninth month and kill the baby. Nobody wants that to happen — Democrat or Republican. Nobody wants that to happen," Trump said. But Biden claimed, "You’re lying. That is simply not true." According to the president, he is "not for a late-term abortion — period. Period." While discussing Israel's war with terrorist group Hamas in Gaza, Trump slammed Biden, who he said doesn't want to let Israel "finish the job." "He’s become like a Palestinian, but they don’t like him because he’s a very bad Palestinian. He’s a weak one," he said. "I’ve never heard so much foolishness," Biden responded. Get the latest updates from the 2024 campaign trail, exclusive interviews and more at our Fox News Digital election hub .

politics

Top 5 moments during Trump-Biden debate showdown: 'I didn't have sex with a porn star'. There were several heated moments and pointed jabs during the first 2024 presidential debate between President Biden and former President Trump on Thursday night. Discussing a variety of topics, including immigration and the border, the war in Israel, and abortion, the candidates managed to land some punches and challenge one another on their respective records. CNN FLASH POLL SHOWS TRUMP AS CLEAR WINNER OF FIRST PRESIDENTIAL DEBATE: 'STUNNING NUMBER' Here are the top five moments from the presidential debate, which was hosted by CNN. During the debate, Biden hit Trump over the various criminal cases he is involved in, including the New York trial that ended with Trump's conviction for falsifying business records. The records were related to alleged hush money payments to adult film star Stormy Daniels, who Trump allegedly had an affair with. However, Trump shot back at Biden, claiming, "I didn't have sex with a porn star." PRESIDENTIAL DEBATE SHOWDOWN BETWEEN BIDEN, TRUMP WAS FESTIVAL OF THE UNPRECEDENTED "He was so bad with Afghanistan," Trump claimed during the debate, calling it "such a horrible embarrassment." "He should have fired those generals like I fired the one that you mentioned, and so he's got no love lost, but he should have fired those generals," he added. "No general got fired for the most embarrassing moment in the history of our country, Afghanistan, where we left billions of dollars of equipment behind. We lost 13 beautiful soldiers and 38 soldiers were obliterated." TRUMP RIPS BIDEN FOR NOT FIRING GENERALS AFTER BOTCHED AFGHANISTAN WITHDRAWAL: 'INCOMPETENCE' The president slammed Trump's claims he could be prosecuted, brushing it off as "outrageous." "Joe could be a convicted felon with all of the things that he’s done," Trump claimed. "This man is a criminal. This man — you’re lucky. You’re lucky. I did nothing wrong. We’d have a system that was rigged and disgusting. I did nothing wrong," he added. Biden shot back, "the idea that I did anything wrong is outrageous." TRUMP'S CLEAR-CUT DEBATE VICTORY OVER BIDEN RAISES AWKWARD QUESTION ABOUT 2024 CAMPAIGN Biden pushed back on Trump after the former president said he would allow late term abortions to occur. "So that means he can take the life of the baby in the ninth month and even after birth? Because some states Democrat-run take it after birth. The former governor of Virginia: ‘put the baby down, then we decide what to do with it.’ So, he’s willing to, as we say, rip the baby out of the womb in the ninth month and kill the baby. Nobody wants that to happen — Democrat or Republican. Nobody wants that to happen," Trump said. But Biden claimed, "You’re lying. That is simply not true." According to the president, he is "not for a late-term abortion — period. Period." While discussing Israel's war with terrorist group Hamas in Gaza, Trump slammed Biden, who he said doesn't want to let Israel "finish the job." "He’s become like a Palestinian, but they don’t like him because he’s a very bad Palestinian. He’s a weak one," he said. "I’ve never heard so much foolishness," Biden responded. Get the latest updates from the 2024 campaign trail, exclusive interviews and more at our Fox News Digital election hub .

Nurses suing NHS trust for allowing trans women to use their changing rooms

Eight nurses are suing their employer for sexual harassment and sex discrimination because of a policy which allows trans women to use their women's changing rooms. The legal action began after 26 nurses wrote to County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust raising their concerns in March. The nurses, who work at Darlington Memorial Hospital, must change in and out of their scrubs twice a day with no private cubicles. They claim some international nurses wanted to sign the letter but were too worried about having their visas revoked and losing their jobs. Bethany Hutchison, one of the claimants, says they have felt unsafe as a result of a male staff member who identifies as a woman and has not transitioned. She said: "There's been occasions where I've been in the changing room alone with this colleague who looks very masculine and that was a real shock because you feel you want to challenge them, you think, 'Oh there's a man in the changing room' but you can't because of the trust's policy." Read more: NHS cyber attack: Sensitive data stolen from blood test provider by criminal group 'published online' One of the nurses who has objected to the hospital's policy is a woman who was the victim of sexual abuse and says the presence of this trans colleague in an enclosed space triggers her PTSD. Another of the women, Lisa Lockey, told Sky News: "We're just ordinary nurses. Is it too much to ask for a private changing room where you feel comfortable?" Lisa says their ward manager was called into a meeting with HR and senior hospital bosses and told that the nurses needed to be "re-educated". The situation has escalated, with Harry Potter author JK Rowling, who has been highly vocal on trans issues, and shadow health secretary Wes Streeting, posting in support of the nurses. The Labour spokesperson said on X: "I support the nurses and I'm horrified that they've had to resort to legal action. We've got to find a better way through this and I'd be happy to meet them. We've got to find a way through that treats people with respect and respects women's safe spaces". The nurses are being supported in their litigation by the Christian Legal Centre. Ambiguity in the Equality Act 2010 Its chief executive Andrea Williams says: "This case and the Cass Review demonstrate how transgender ideology has led to a public health crisis, not only for vulnerable children and for patients on wards, but now also for NHS staff who are just trying to do their job." Under the Equality Act 2010 it is illegal to discriminate against anyone because of their sex. Some interpret sex as referring strictly to biological sex, while others believe it also applies to transgender people who have a gender recognition certificate. The Conservatives have said they would amend the Equality Act so that it is clear, in this context, that it only applies to biological sex. They hope this would prevent trans women from accessing single-sex spaces such as changing rooms. Keir Starmer says the Equality Act doesn't need to change but says he's committed to protecting single sex spaces. Fear is hurting everyone Balancing the rights of transgender people and women has been a heated topic throughout this election campaign but Cleo Madeleine, head of public engagement at transgender charity Gendered Intelligence, says people need to be more accepting of trans people. "Including transgender people isn't hurting anyone, what's hurting everyone is this fear that has been stirred up and that's not just hurting transgender people it's hurting everybody," Cleo said. A spokesperson for County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust said: "The trust would like to emphasise that at this stage the claims being made are allegations which need to be fully investigated and reviewed.

uk

Nurses suing NHS trust for allowing trans women to use their changing rooms. Eight nurses are suing their employer for sexual harassment and sex discrimination because of a policy which allows trans women to use their women's changing rooms. The legal action began after 26 nurses wrote to County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust raising their concerns in March. The nurses, who work at Darlington Memorial Hospital, must change in and out of their scrubs twice a day with no private cubicles. They claim some international nurses wanted to sign the letter but were too worried about having their visas revoked and losing their jobs. Bethany Hutchison, one of the claimants, says they have felt unsafe as a result of a male staff member who identifies as a woman and has not transitioned. She said: "There's been occasions where I've been in the changing room alone with this colleague who looks very masculine and that was a real shock because you feel you want to challenge them, you think, 'Oh there's a man in the changing room' but you can't because of the trust's policy." Read more: NHS cyber attack: Sensitive data stolen from blood test provider by criminal group 'published online' One of the nurses who has objected to the hospital's policy is a woman who was the victim of sexual abuse and says the presence of this trans colleague in an enclosed space triggers her PTSD. Another of the women, Lisa Lockey, told Sky News: "We're just ordinary nurses. Is it too much to ask for a private changing room where you feel comfortable?" Lisa says their ward manager was called into a meeting with HR and senior hospital bosses and told that the nurses needed to be "re-educated". The situation has escalated, with Harry Potter author JK Rowling, who has been highly vocal on trans issues, and shadow health secretary Wes Streeting, posting in support of the nurses. The Labour spokesperson said on X: "I support the nurses and I'm horrified that they've had to resort to legal action. We've got to find a better way through this and I'd be happy to meet them. We've got to find a way through that treats people with respect and respects women's safe spaces". The nurses are being supported in their litigation by the Christian Legal Centre. Ambiguity in the Equality Act 2010 Its chief executive Andrea Williams says: "This case and the Cass Review demonstrate how transgender ideology has led to a public health crisis, not only for vulnerable children and for patients on wards, but now also for NHS staff who are just trying to do their job." Under the Equality Act 2010 it is illegal to discriminate against anyone because of their sex. Some interpret sex as referring strictly to biological sex, while others believe it also applies to transgender people who have a gender recognition certificate. The Conservatives have said they would amend the Equality Act so that it is clear, in this context, that it only applies to biological sex. They hope this would prevent trans women from accessing single-sex spaces such as changing rooms. Keir Starmer says the Equality Act doesn't need to change but says he's committed to protecting single sex spaces. Fear is hurting everyone Balancing the rights of transgender people and women has been a heated topic throughout this election campaign but Cleo Madeleine, head of public engagement at transgender charity Gendered Intelligence, says people need to be more accepting of trans people. "Including transgender people isn't hurting anyone, what's hurting everyone is this fear that has been stirred up and that's not just hurting transgender people it's hurting everybody," Cleo said. A spokesperson for County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust said: "The trust would like to emphasise that at this stage the claims being made are allegations which need to be fully investigated and reviewed.

Anthony Albanese says issue of preferencing Greens at the election is a matter for Labor organisation

Pro-Palestinian demonstrations in recent months have tested university administrators and the police. This week, federal parliamentarians, including the prime minister, erupted in outrage at the protests that have disrupted MPs’ electorate offices. Anthony Albanese’s office in his Sydney seat of Grayndler has been closed and his electorate staff are working from the Sydney Commonwealth Parliamentary Offices. The disruption of MPs’ offices, which is frustrating constituents, many of them seeking assistance on social security and similar issues, was raised in the Labor caucus on Tuesday. The Greens have become the object of Labor and Liberal fury for their alleged role in encouraging the protests at electorate offices. They have reacted equally strongly to the criticisms. Greens leader Adam Bandt on Thursday accused Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus of defaming him and the Greens and said he’d had his lawyer write to Dreyfus. In a Wednesday interview, Dreyfus said he was very concerned about the Greens’ role in these demonstrations. He suggested the party and Bandt “have got something to answer for here in the way that they have been encouraging criminal damage of MPs’ electorate offices”. In parliament on Wednesday Albanese accused “some Greens senators and MPs” of spreading misinformation. They had “engaged in this in demonstrations outside offices and online”. “Our staff do work to provide assistance to people dealing with Medicare, social security, migration and other issues. They deserve respect, not abuse, not assault, not attacks on the office,” Albanese said. “Enough is enough. The time for senators and members of parliament to continue to attend and inflame tension outside these offices must end.” Dutton told parliament the offices of MPs were being “targeted with red paint, with vile messages of hate and discrimination and antisemitism, and it should be condemned. The Greens should condemn it instead of condoning it.” Bandt said on Thursday Albanese and Labor were not the victims in these matters. “The victims are the over 36,000 people killed in the ongoing genocide in Gaza. The hostages, and the 1200 people killed on October 7, compounded by the failure of the Labor government to take action against the Israeli government invasion.” In question time on Thursday, the opposition asked whether Albanese would commit to preferencing Green candidates last in every seat at the election. Albanese said such matters were for the party organisation. Labor traditionally receives the overwhelming majority of Green preferences. In a follow-up question, the opposition asked whether, given the Greens’ antisemitic conduct and the Prime Minister’s condemnation of them, Albanese would rule out governing with their support. Albanese replied that “we seek a majority government” and the ALP did not govern in coalition with any other party. National Anti-Corruption Commission decides not to pursue Robodebt officials The National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) has decided not to commence a corruption investigation into the behaviour of six public officials involved in the Robodebt scheme, saying it would not add value in the public interest. The NACC had received referrals regarding the six from the Royal Commission into the Robodebt Scheme. In a Thursday statement , the NACC said it was “conscious of the impact of the Robodebt Scheme on individuals and the public, the seniority of the officials involved, and the need to ensure that any corruption issue is fully investigated. "However, the conduct of the six public officials in connection with the Robodebt Scheme has already been fully explored by the Robodebt Royal Commission and extensively discussed in its final report. After close consideration of the evidence that was available to the Royal Commission, the Commission has concluded that it is unlikely it would obtain significant new evidence.” The NACC also noted that five of the six officials had been referred to the Australian Public Service Commission. A number of current or former officials have been found to have breached the public service’s code of conduct in their behaviour in relation to Robodebt. Michelle Grattan does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

politics,australia

Anthony Albanese says issue of preferencing Greens at the election is a matter for Labor organisation. Pro-Palestinian demonstrations in recent months have tested university administrators and the police. This week, federal parliamentarians, including the prime minister, erupted in outrage at the protests that have disrupted MPs’ electorate offices. Anthony Albanese’s office in his Sydney seat of Grayndler has been closed and his electorate staff are working from the Sydney Commonwealth Parliamentary Offices. The disruption of MPs’ offices, which is frustrating constituents, many of them seeking assistance on social security and similar issues, was raised in the Labor caucus on Tuesday. The Greens have become the object of Labor and Liberal fury for their alleged role in encouraging the protests at electorate offices. They have reacted equally strongly to the criticisms. Greens leader Adam Bandt on Thursday accused Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus of defaming him and the Greens and said he’d had his lawyer write to Dreyfus. In a Wednesday interview, Dreyfus said he was very concerned about the Greens’ role in these demonstrations. He suggested the party and Bandt “have got something to answer for here in the way that they have been encouraging criminal damage of MPs’ electorate offices”. In parliament on Wednesday Albanese accused “some Greens senators and MPs” of spreading misinformation. They had “engaged in this in demonstrations outside offices and online”. “Our staff do work to provide assistance to people dealing with Medicare, social security, migration and other issues. They deserve respect, not abuse, not assault, not attacks on the office,” Albanese said. “Enough is enough. The time for senators and members of parliament to continue to attend and inflame tension outside these offices must end.” Dutton told parliament the offices of MPs were being “targeted with red paint, with vile messages of hate and discrimination and antisemitism, and it should be condemned. The Greens should condemn it instead of condoning it.” Bandt said on Thursday Albanese and Labor were not the victims in these matters. “The victims are the over 36,000 people killed in the ongoing genocide in Gaza. The hostages, and the 1200 people killed on October 7, compounded by the failure of the Labor government to take action against the Israeli government invasion.” In question time on Thursday, the opposition asked whether Albanese would commit to preferencing Green candidates last in every seat at the election. Albanese said such matters were for the party organisation. Labor traditionally receives the overwhelming majority of Green preferences. In a follow-up question, the opposition asked whether, given the Greens’ antisemitic conduct and the Prime Minister’s condemnation of them, Albanese would rule out governing with their support. Albanese replied that “we seek a majority government” and the ALP did not govern in coalition with any other party. National Anti-Corruption Commission decides not to pursue Robodebt officials The National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) has decided not to commence a corruption investigation into the behaviour of six public officials involved in the Robodebt scheme, saying it would not add value in the public interest. The NACC had received referrals regarding the six from the Royal Commission into the Robodebt Scheme. In a Thursday statement , the NACC said it was “conscious of the impact of the Robodebt Scheme on individuals and the public, the seniority of the officials involved, and the need to ensure that any corruption issue is fully investigated. "However, the conduct of the six public officials in connection with the Robodebt Scheme has already been fully explored by the Robodebt Royal Commission and extensively discussed in its final report. After close consideration of the evidence that was available to the Royal Commission, the Commission has concluded that it is unlikely it would obtain significant new evidence.” The NACC also noted that five of the six officials had been referred to the Australian Public Service Commission. A number of current or former officials have been found to have breached the public service’s code of conduct in their behaviour in relation to Robodebt. Michelle Grattan does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

House of Commons launches study of controversial travel spending rule

The House of Commons has launched a study of a clause in its spending rules that has allowed MPs travelling to caucus meetings connected to party conventions to claim hundreds of thousands of dollars in expenses over the past year. Clause in rules has allowed MPs to bill Parliament for $538,314 over the past year Liberal MP Mark Gerretsen convinced the Board of Internal Economy to study the rules on MPs' expenses for attending caucus meetings. (Adrian Wyld/The Canadian Press) The House of Commons has launched a study of a clause in its spending rules that has allowed MPs travelling to caucus meetings connected to party conventions to claim hundreds of thousands of dollars in expenses over the past year. Officials are also being asked to recommend ways the rules can be tightened up or improved. Members of the Board of Internal Economy, which oversees the operation of the House of Commons and its spending, adopted a proposal from Liberal MP Mark Gerretsen to examine the exception to the general rule that prohibits MPs from claiming expenses related to partisan events, such as political party conventions. "I'm hoping that we could perhaps give some direction to the staff here to go back and perhaps make some recommendations on how we can tighten up these loopholes," Gerretsen told the board, which is composed of MPs from the four parties recognized in the House of Commons. Conservative House leader Andrew Scheer took exception to the suggestion that there was a loophole in the spending rules, saying the provisions were agreed to by all parties in 2011. "He's characterizing this as a loophole, but quite the opposite, it wasn't a loophole," said Scheer, who served as Speaker at the time and was a member of the BOIE. "It was a conscious decision that the board made to put some rules around caucus meetings and travel." Scheer urged House of Commons officials to also study the cost of caucus meetings held outside of Ottawa that aren't held in connection with a party convention. While the Conservatives, New Democrats and the Bloc Québécois have all held caucus meetings alongside party conventions, the Liberal Party decided in 2014 not to take advantage of that clause in the rules. It has, however, held caucus meetings outside Ottawa and its MPs have claimed travel expenses for those meetings. Conservative House leader Andrew Scheer says that the committee should examine the cost of caucus meetings held outside of Ottawa. (Adrian Wyld/The Canadian Press) "There are regularly caucus meetings for national caucuses outside of Ottawa in the form of retreats," said Scheer, citing hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of expenses claimed by Liberal MPs to travel to the party's last few caucus meetings outside Ottawa. "If the Liberals are going to characterize that as a loophole, clearly those are also loopholes that the administration should consider and come back with options for changing the rules on that as well." CBC News has reported that a clause in the House of Commons spending rules has allowed MPs to charge $538,314 in travel, accommodation, meals and incidental to Parliament since May 2023 to attend caucus meetings connected to party conventions, including more than $84,000 for "designated travelers," often MPs' spouses. Loophole leaves taxpayers picking up tab for MP travel House of Commons committee should close loophole on MPs' travel, Liberal MP says Watchdog groups call on House of Commons to close spending loophole Under the House of Commons rules, MPs generally cannot charge expenses related to partisan political activity such as party conventions or fundraising events. But MPs can claim expenses related to national caucus meetings, which are considered part of their parliamentary functions. If a party holds a national caucus meeting at the same time and place as its party convention, MPs, their employees and designated travelers can charge travel, two nights of accommodation, meals and incidentals to attend the caucus meeting — effectively subsidizing their travel to the convention at the same time. Conservative MPs accounted for 79 per cent of the spending by MPs, billing their House of Commons office budgets for $426,283 to go to Quebec City in September 2023. Conservative MPs were the only ones to bill Parliament for spouses to travel to a caucus meeting connected to a convention during the past year. Conservative delegate Patrick Wuori calls on the crowd prior to party leader Pierre Poilievre's speech at the Conservative Party Convention on Friday, September 8, 2023 in Quebec City. (Jacques Boissinot/Canadian Press) New Democratic Party MPs had the second highest total, billing Parliament $83,087 from their MP office budgets to send MPs and a dozen of their employees to Hamilton in October 2023. The Bloc Québécois, whose MPs are all located in Quebec, billed their MP office budgets $28,943 for travel to Drummondville in May 2023, while Bloc Leader Yves-François Blanchet charged $594 to his House of Commons leader's budget, as did four of his employees. While MPs agreed on asking House of Commons staff to study the rules, they criticized what they called the political tone of Gerretsen's letter and his reference to a loophole. NDP House leader Peter Julian defended the practice, saying holding a convention at the same time as a caucus meeting can help MPs incorporate a party resolution on an issue like pharmacare into their work on Parliament Hill. Julian said he is also concerned that Liberal MPs used their travel budgets to come to Ottawa for Parliament but it also allowed them to be in Ottawa for the weekend of their party's last convention. Julian said the rules should not stop parties from holding caucus meetings in various parts of Canada.

politics

House of Commons launches study of controversial travel spending rule. The House of Commons has launched a study of a clause in its spending rules that has allowed MPs travelling to caucus meetings connected to party conventions to claim hundreds of thousands of dollars in expenses over the past year. Clause in rules has allowed MPs to bill Parliament for $538,314 over the past year Liberal MP Mark Gerretsen convinced the Board of Internal Economy to study the rules on MPs' expenses for attending caucus meetings. (Adrian Wyld/The Canadian Press) The House of Commons has launched a study of a clause in its spending rules that has allowed MPs travelling to caucus meetings connected to party conventions to claim hundreds of thousands of dollars in expenses over the past year. Officials are also being asked to recommend ways the rules can be tightened up or improved. Members of the Board of Internal Economy, which oversees the operation of the House of Commons and its spending, adopted a proposal from Liberal MP Mark Gerretsen to examine the exception to the general rule that prohibits MPs from claiming expenses related to partisan events, such as political party conventions. "I'm hoping that we could perhaps give some direction to the staff here to go back and perhaps make some recommendations on how we can tighten up these loopholes," Gerretsen told the board, which is composed of MPs from the four parties recognized in the House of Commons. Conservative House leader Andrew Scheer took exception to the suggestion that there was a loophole in the spending rules, saying the provisions were agreed to by all parties in 2011. "He's characterizing this as a loophole, but quite the opposite, it wasn't a loophole," said Scheer, who served as Speaker at the time and was a member of the BOIE. "It was a conscious decision that the board made to put some rules around caucus meetings and travel." Scheer urged House of Commons officials to also study the cost of caucus meetings held outside of Ottawa that aren't held in connection with a party convention. While the Conservatives, New Democrats and the Bloc Québécois have all held caucus meetings alongside party conventions, the Liberal Party decided in 2014 not to take advantage of that clause in the rules. It has, however, held caucus meetings outside Ottawa and its MPs have claimed travel expenses for those meetings. Conservative House leader Andrew Scheer says that the committee should examine the cost of caucus meetings held outside of Ottawa. (Adrian Wyld/The Canadian Press) "There are regularly caucus meetings for national caucuses outside of Ottawa in the form of retreats," said Scheer, citing hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of expenses claimed by Liberal MPs to travel to the party's last few caucus meetings outside Ottawa. "If the Liberals are going to characterize that as a loophole, clearly those are also loopholes that the administration should consider and come back with options for changing the rules on that as well." CBC News has reported that a clause in the House of Commons spending rules has allowed MPs to charge $538,314 in travel, accommodation, meals and incidental to Parliament since May 2023 to attend caucus meetings connected to party conventions, including more than $84,000 for "designated travelers," often MPs' spouses. Loophole leaves taxpayers picking up tab for MP travel House of Commons committee should close loophole on MPs' travel, Liberal MP says Watchdog groups call on House of Commons to close spending loophole Under the House of Commons rules, MPs generally cannot charge expenses related to partisan political activity such as party conventions or fundraising events. But MPs can claim expenses related to national caucus meetings, which are considered part of their parliamentary functions. If a party holds a national caucus meeting at the same time and place as its party convention, MPs, their employees and designated travelers can charge travel, two nights of accommodation, meals and incidentals to attend the caucus meeting — effectively subsidizing their travel to the convention at the same time. Conservative MPs accounted for 79 per cent of the spending by MPs, billing their House of Commons office budgets for $426,283 to go to Quebec City in September 2023. Conservative MPs were the only ones to bill Parliament for spouses to travel to a caucus meeting connected to a convention during the past year. Conservative delegate Patrick Wuori calls on the crowd prior to party leader Pierre Poilievre's speech at the Conservative Party Convention on Friday, September 8, 2023 in Quebec City. (Jacques Boissinot/Canadian Press) New Democratic Party MPs had the second highest total, billing Parliament $83,087 from their MP office budgets to send MPs and a dozen of their employees to Hamilton in October 2023. The Bloc Québécois, whose MPs are all located in Quebec, billed their MP office budgets $28,943 for travel to Drummondville in May 2023, while Bloc Leader Yves-François Blanchet charged $594 to his House of Commons leader's budget, as did four of his employees. While MPs agreed on asking House of Commons staff to study the rules, they criticized what they called the political tone of Gerretsen's letter and his reference to a loophole. NDP House leader Peter Julian defended the practice, saying holding a convention at the same time as a caucus meeting can help MPs incorporate a party resolution on an issue like pharmacare into their work on Parliament Hill. Julian said he is also concerned that Liberal MPs used their travel budgets to come to Ottawa for Parliament but it also allowed them to be in Ottawa for the weekend of their party's last convention. Julian said the rules should not stop parties from holding caucus meetings in various parts of Canada.

Aide to home secretary says Rwanda scheme is 'crap'

A Conservative parliamentary candidate and aide to Home Secretary James Cleverly has described the government's flagship Rwanda immigration policy as "crap". James Sunderland, who was the MP for Bracknell from 2019 to 2024 and is running to represent the constituency again, was recorded expressing the view at a private event in April. In the recording, passed to the BBC, he is heard to say: "The policy is crap, OK? It's crap." He goes on to defend the plan, saying it will deter migrants from trying to enter the UK by crossing the Channel. "It's not about the policy. It's about the effect of the policy," he says. Mr Sunderland was speaking on 2 April at an event for Young Conservatives organised by a group called the True Blue Patrons Supper Club and titled: "What's it like behind the scenes at the Home Office". He has been a parliamentary private secretary to both Mr Cleverly and Suella Braverman. Mr Sunderland is heard to say: "I have been part of this for the last two years, and I'm immersed in it and I probably shouldn't' say too much. "What I would say to you is that - nobody has got their cameras on, their phones - the policy is crap, OK? It's crap." He goes on to say: "But it's not about the policy. It's about the effect of the policy. It's the second- or third-order effects. "In Australia, for example, a similar policy had a devastating effect. There is no doubt at all that when those first flights take off that it will send such a shockwave across the Channel that the gangs will stop." Mr Sunderland also criticises other colleagues for "courting controversy" and "polarising opinion". He said: "I'm not saying stupid things. I'm not on the front page of the newspaper. I'm doing my job. I can commend hard work. "If you go out and do what Jonathan Gullis does, or Brendan Clarke Smith, or Lee Anderson, go out and just court controversy, you polarise opinion. I don't want that." Mr Gullis and Mr Clarke Smith are both former Conservative MPs and current candidates for the party. Mr Anderson was previously a Conservative MP but in March defected to Reform UK, for whom he is standing again as a candidate. Mr Sunderland told the BBC: "I am disappointed that I was recorded at a private event. I candidly answered questions. I was talking about the response to the policy. The policy itself is not the be all and end all but part of a wider response. "I never criticise colleagues publicly but was asked about the resignations of colleagues from party posts. I honestly answered that we do not need unnecessary rhetoric and division in public life." A Conservative spokesperson said: "Not everyone will like this policy, but having an effective deterrent is the only way to stop the boats." Labour's Yvette Cooper, the shadow home secretary, said: "The Tories Rwanda scheme has been completely exposed as an extortionate and failing gimmick." She added: "The Tories have been running the Rwanda scheme for 2 years. They've sent Rwanda £300m and two volunteers. "When will the Tories come clean with the public and admit what they obviously say in private; that the Rwanda scheme is a complete con."

politics

Aide to home secretary says Rwanda scheme is 'crap'. A Conservative parliamentary candidate and aide to Home Secretary James Cleverly has described the government's flagship Rwanda immigration policy as "crap". James Sunderland, who was the MP for Bracknell from 2019 to 2024 and is running to represent the constituency again, was recorded expressing the view at a private event in April. In the recording, passed to the BBC, he is heard to say: "The policy is crap, OK? It's crap." He goes on to defend the plan, saying it will deter migrants from trying to enter the UK by crossing the Channel. "It's not about the policy. It's about the effect of the policy," he says. Mr Sunderland was speaking on 2 April at an event for Young Conservatives organised by a group called the True Blue Patrons Supper Club and titled: "What's it like behind the scenes at the Home Office". He has been a parliamentary private secretary to both Mr Cleverly and Suella Braverman. Mr Sunderland is heard to say: "I have been part of this for the last two years, and I'm immersed in it and I probably shouldn't' say too much. "What I would say to you is that - nobody has got their cameras on, their phones - the policy is crap, OK? It's crap." He goes on to say: "But it's not about the policy. It's about the effect of the policy. It's the second- or third-order effects. "In Australia, for example, a similar policy had a devastating effect. There is no doubt at all that when those first flights take off that it will send such a shockwave across the Channel that the gangs will stop." Mr Sunderland also criticises other colleagues for "courting controversy" and "polarising opinion". He said: "I'm not saying stupid things. I'm not on the front page of the newspaper. I'm doing my job. I can commend hard work. "If you go out and do what Jonathan Gullis does, or Brendan Clarke Smith, or Lee Anderson, go out and just court controversy, you polarise opinion. I don't want that." Mr Gullis and Mr Clarke Smith are both former Conservative MPs and current candidates for the party. Mr Anderson was previously a Conservative MP but in March defected to Reform UK, for whom he is standing again as a candidate. Mr Sunderland told the BBC: "I am disappointed that I was recorded at a private event. I candidly answered questions. I was talking about the response to the policy. The policy itself is not the be all and end all but part of a wider response. "I never criticise colleagues publicly but was asked about the resignations of colleagues from party posts. I honestly answered that we do not need unnecessary rhetoric and division in public life." A Conservative spokesperson said: "Not everyone will like this policy, but having an effective deterrent is the only way to stop the boats." Labour's Yvette Cooper, the shadow home secretary, said: "The Tories Rwanda scheme has been completely exposed as an extortionate and failing gimmick." She added: "The Tories have been running the Rwanda scheme for 2 years. They've sent Rwanda £300m and two volunteers. "When will the Tories come clean with the public and admit what they obviously say in private; that the Rwanda scheme is a complete con."

‘Big Brother Canada’ host Arisa Cox ‘heartbroken’ by show’s cancellation

TORONTO — "Big Brother Canada" host Arisa Cox said Thursday she's "heartbroken" the reality competition series has been evicted from Global TV's lineup, but is hopeful it can continue elsewhere. Shortly after Corus Entertainment announced Thursday that it was cancelling the Toronto-shot show, the TV personality said she felt "oddly very proud." "Canada has that tall poppy syndrome. You're never supposed to big yourself up too much, but I feel very comfortable bigging ourselves up." "Big Brother Canada" was produced by Insight Productions in association with Corus and Banijay Rights. Showrunner Erin Brock, who is also Insight's senior vice-president, said the show's cancellation will result in "between 200 and 250" people losing their contract jobs. "I feel sad for the TV landscape. I feel sad that such a brilliant show that tells so many Canadian stories is not going to be on the air. I feel sad for all of us who made it," Brock said. "I feel grateful, and I also feel like it's a big loss, honestly." Corus said in a statement it considered many factors in the decision, including "audience trends, available support from sponsors and advertisers, and production and licensing costs." "Big Brother Canada," one of several international spinoffs of the original Dutch show, features contestants living together, cut off from the outside world. They compete for a cash prize as they are voted off week-by-week. Brock said it's possible the show could get picked up by another Canadian broadcaster, but it's ultimately up to Banijay, which holds the rights, to shop and sell it. "What you will see with the franchise quite often in many territories is it will get canceled and then a year or two will pass and then it'll get greenlit or picked up by another broadcaster or streamer or network, and you'll find that it's back on the air," she said. Brock said "Big Brother Canada" is considered "one of the best versions" of the format in the world, and that producers of the franchise in other countries have been inspired by its take on the show. She said the show's sponsorship opportunities make it attractive to broadcasters, noting it had 11 sponsors least season, from Samsung to Disney. "I think it's just kind of undeniable, I do, so I wouldn't be surprised if we didn't see it live another life somewhere else in the future." Cox said broadcasters should be interested in picking up the show because it has one of the "most engaged" fan bases on TV. "Shows this magical with audiences this invested are very, very rare," she said. The reaction to "Big Brother Canada's" cancellation was swift online, with fans expressing their disappointment across social media platforms. Corus said last season saw a slight dip in ratings, but that it "could not have been happier with the quality and creativity of the production." The cancellation comes as the media giant continues to struggle in the current broadcasting landscape. Earlier this month, the company announced it will lose the Canadian rights to several Warner Bros. Discovery lifestyle brands. Starting in January, Rogers Communications Inc. will be home to HGTV, Food Network, Cooking Channel, Magnolia Network and OWN. Corus said the cancellation was "separate" and not related to any of the changes to its lifestyle brands. The media giant added there are no layoffs at the broadcaster related to the cancellation. Cox said part of "Big Brother Canada"'s legacy was that its producers made a conscious effort to have multicultural casts. "We wanted to make a real push to increase the diversity on Canadian screens, and to have cast and production staff that look like the people who also watch the show. That was a big deal, and it had this ripple effect on the rest of reality TV, even into the States," she said. "That fearlessness of wanting to make a splash and not being afraid to do so, I think that was really contagious. And I think every creative who's worked on the show, whether we come back or not, that's something that we will take with us always."

world

‘Big Brother Canada’ host Arisa Cox ‘heartbroken’ by show’s cancellation. TORONTO — "Big Brother Canada" host Arisa Cox said Thursday she's "heartbroken" the reality competition series has been evicted from Global TV's lineup, but is hopeful it can continue elsewhere. Shortly after Corus Entertainment announced Thursday that it was cancelling the Toronto-shot show, the TV personality said she felt "oddly very proud." "Canada has that tall poppy syndrome. You're never supposed to big yourself up too much, but I feel very comfortable bigging ourselves up." "Big Brother Canada" was produced by Insight Productions in association with Corus and Banijay Rights. Showrunner Erin Brock, who is also Insight's senior vice-president, said the show's cancellation will result in "between 200 and 250" people losing their contract jobs. "I feel sad for the TV landscape. I feel sad that such a brilliant show that tells so many Canadian stories is not going to be on the air. I feel sad for all of us who made it," Brock said. "I feel grateful, and I also feel like it's a big loss, honestly." Corus said in a statement it considered many factors in the decision, including "audience trends, available support from sponsors and advertisers, and production and licensing costs." "Big Brother Canada," one of several international spinoffs of the original Dutch show, features contestants living together, cut off from the outside world. They compete for a cash prize as they are voted off week-by-week. Brock said it's possible the show could get picked up by another Canadian broadcaster, but it's ultimately up to Banijay, which holds the rights, to shop and sell it. "What you will see with the franchise quite often in many territories is it will get canceled and then a year or two will pass and then it'll get greenlit or picked up by another broadcaster or streamer or network, and you'll find that it's back on the air," she said. Brock said "Big Brother Canada" is considered "one of the best versions" of the format in the world, and that producers of the franchise in other countries have been inspired by its take on the show. She said the show's sponsorship opportunities make it attractive to broadcasters, noting it had 11 sponsors least season, from Samsung to Disney. "I think it's just kind of undeniable, I do, so I wouldn't be surprised if we didn't see it live another life somewhere else in the future." Cox said broadcasters should be interested in picking up the show because it has one of the "most engaged" fan bases on TV. "Shows this magical with audiences this invested are very, very rare," she said. The reaction to "Big Brother Canada's" cancellation was swift online, with fans expressing their disappointment across social media platforms. Corus said last season saw a slight dip in ratings, but that it "could not have been happier with the quality and creativity of the production." The cancellation comes as the media giant continues to struggle in the current broadcasting landscape. Earlier this month, the company announced it will lose the Canadian rights to several Warner Bros. Discovery lifestyle brands. Starting in January, Rogers Communications Inc. will be home to HGTV, Food Network, Cooking Channel, Magnolia Network and OWN. Corus said the cancellation was "separate" and not related to any of the changes to its lifestyle brands. The media giant added there are no layoffs at the broadcaster related to the cancellation. Cox said part of "Big Brother Canada"'s legacy was that its producers made a conscious effort to have multicultural casts. "We wanted to make a real push to increase the diversity on Canadian screens, and to have cast and production staff that look like the people who also watch the show. That was a big deal, and it had this ripple effect on the rest of reality TV, even into the States," she said. "That fearlessness of wanting to make a splash and not being afraid to do so, I think that was really contagious. And I think every creative who's worked on the show, whether we come back or not, that's something that we will take with us always."

MRNS Investors Have Opportunity to Lead Marinus Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Securities Fraud Lawsuit

Howard G. Smith announces that investors with substantial losses have opportunity to lead the securities fraud class action lawsuit against Marinus Pharmaceuticals, Inc. ("Marinus" or the "Company") (NASDAQ: The complaint filed alleges that, throughout the Class Period, Defendants failed to disclose to investors that: (1) Defendants understated the risk of failure to meet the early-stopping criteria in the RAISE trial; (2) Defendants did not disclose that a possible consequence of failing to meet the early stopping criteria in the RAISE trial would be that Marinus would stop the separate Phase 3 RAISE II trial; and (3) as a result, Defendants' positive statements about the Company's business, operations, and prospects were materially misleading and/or lacked a reasonable basis at all relevant times. To be a member of the class action you need not take any action at this time; you may retain counsel of your choice or take no action and remain an absent member of the class action. If you wish to learn more about this class action, or if you have any questions concerning this announcement or your rights or interests with respect to the pending class action lawsuit, please contact Howard G. Smith, Esquire, of Law Offices of Howard G. Smith, 3070 Bristol Pike, Suite 112, Bensalem, Pennsylvania 19020, by telephone at (215) 638-4847 or by email to [email protected], or visit our website at

motors

MRNS Investors Have Opportunity to Lead Marinus Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Securities Fraud Lawsuit. Howard G. Smith announces that investors with substantial losses have opportunity to lead the securities fraud class action lawsuit against Marinus Pharmaceuticals, Inc. ("Marinus" or the "Company") (NASDAQ: The complaint filed alleges that, throughout the Class Period, Defendants failed to disclose to investors that: (1) Defendants understated the risk of failure to meet the early-stopping criteria in the RAISE trial; (2) Defendants did not disclose that a possible consequence of failing to meet the early stopping criteria in the RAISE trial would be that Marinus would stop the separate Phase 3 RAISE II trial; and (3) as a result, Defendants' positive statements about the Company's business, operations, and prospects were materially misleading and/or lacked a reasonable basis at all relevant times. To be a member of the class action you need not take any action at this time; you may retain counsel of your choice or take no action and remain an absent member of the class action. If you wish to learn more about this class action, or if you have any questions concerning this announcement or your rights or interests with respect to the pending class action lawsuit, please contact Howard G. Smith, Esquire, of Law Offices of Howard G. Smith, 3070 Bristol Pike, Suite 112, Bensalem, Pennsylvania 19020, by telephone at (215) 638-4847 or by email to [email protected], or visit our website at

Kurtley Beale’s Wallabies comeback in doubt due to serious injury

Kurtley Beale's Wallabies comeback has been dealt a cruel blow after the full-back suffered an expected torn Achilles on Saturday. The 35-year-old, who was last week announced in Joe Schmidt's maiden 38-man Wallabies squad, had to be helped from the field during a Sydney club rugby match. Beale came off the bench for Randwick against Eastern Suburbs in NSW's Shute Shield but went down untouched in the back-field. Kurtley Beale recalled by coach Joe Schmidt in new-look Wallabies squad Read more Beale was in line to make his return to the national side and add to his 95-Test career, having last played for the Wallabies in 2021. Australia's first Test under new coach Schmidt is against Wales on Saturday at Allianz Stadium in Sydney, with a second match in Melbourne on July 13. The Wales double-header will be followed by a one-off Test against Georgia in Sydney on July 20. It is understood Beale was permitted to turn out for Randwick after being told he wouldn't face the Welsh next weekend. Beale had returned to rugby this Super season with the Western Force after a 12-month stand-down by Rugby Australia following serious legal charges, of which he was cleared. Having made his debut for Australia in 2008, Beale had said he hoped to press his selection claims for next year's series against the touring British and Irish Lions.

sports

Kurtley Beale’s Wallabies comeback in doubt due to serious injury. Kurtley Beale's Wallabies comeback has been dealt a cruel blow after the full-back suffered an expected torn Achilles on Saturday. The 35-year-old, who was last week announced in Joe Schmidt's maiden 38-man Wallabies squad, had to be helped from the field during a Sydney club rugby match. Beale came off the bench for Randwick against Eastern Suburbs in NSW's Shute Shield but went down untouched in the back-field. Kurtley Beale recalled by coach Joe Schmidt in new-look Wallabies squad Read more Beale was in line to make his return to the national side and add to his 95-Test career, having last played for the Wallabies in 2021. Australia's first Test under new coach Schmidt is against Wales on Saturday at Allianz Stadium in Sydney, with a second match in Melbourne on July 13. The Wales double-header will be followed by a one-off Test against Georgia in Sydney on July 20. It is understood Beale was permitted to turn out for Randwick after being told he wouldn't face the Welsh next weekend. Beale had returned to rugby this Super season with the Western Force after a 12-month stand-down by Rugby Australia following serious legal charges, of which he was cleared. Having made his debut for Australia in 2008, Beale had said he hoped to press his selection claims for next year's series against the touring British and Irish Lions.

NASCAR driver, Mexican native Daniel Suarez celebrates becoming American citizen

NASCAR driver Daniel Suarez waves an American flag during a naturalization ceremony, June 18, 2024, in Charlotte, N.C. (Noah Watts/Daylon Barr Photography, Trackhouse Racing via AP) The Associated Press LOUDON, N.H. -- Daniel Suarez took an oath this week and became a United States citizen, then had a surprise confession from his mother — the Monterrey, Mexico native learned he almost was American at birth. Suarez's parents flirted with the idea of heading to America ahead of his 1992 birth and having the future NASCAR star born in the U.S. One problem, the cost was too prohibitive so the idea was scrapped. "In Mexico, I don't know expensive it was, but it was cheaper," Suarez said, laughing. "It's really funny how my parents, they had that thought before I was born, about being born in the United States, I guess to have more opportunities. They didn't do it. "And now, I guess I did it my way." Suarez indeed did it his way, and was one of 48 citizens representing 28 countries sworn in at the field office of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services in Charlotte, North Carolina. "The most special part of everything was, you see so many people there," Suarez said Saturday at New Hampshire Motor Speedway. "I was not expecting it. I was not expecting to see so many people." His fiancée, Julia Piquet, members of his Trackhouse Racing team, and even NASCAR president Steve Phelps were among the attendees that saw the 32-year-old Suarez complete his journey of becoming an American citizen (he will hold dual citizenship with Mexico). Phelps was a surprise guest and delivered the keynote speech at the naturalization ceremony. "I didn't think many people were going to really care about it," Suarez said. "A lot of people really did." Suarez never actually considered becoming an American citizen as he grew up in Mexico. He just wanted to race. His father packed his car and trailer with Suarez's karting gear for the States the first time when they road tripped to Las Vegas for an event. Just 12, Suarez finished strong enough to further fuel the idea he could have some sort of racing career. As the younger Suarez grew fascinated with stock cars, Alejandro Suarez knew he needed to raise the whopping amount of money needed to support this pricey new venture. He sold his auto restoration business and Suarez's stock car career soon took off in Mexico. Suarez had a ride in NASCAR's Mexico series (winning five times in 2014) and NASCAR's low-level K&N Pro Series East, and morphed into a teen sensation at home. After a move to the States — that included a stint in Buffalo, New York — he landed a ride in NASCAR. He won the second-tier Xfinity Series title in 2016 — El campeon! — and became the first foreign champion in a NASCAR national series. Suarez has two career Cup wins — including the closest finish ever at Atlanta Motor Speedway. As he rose through the NASCAR ranks, Suarez at first was focused on his career more than becoming a citizen. "It wasn't a dream of mine," Suarez said. "I came to this country to race and compete. I had been working really hard to try and go to the next step and be more competitive. In a blink of an eye, I've been already here 12 years." As he got older, Suarez realized the significance of becoming a citizen. About six years ago, Suarez became determined to start the process that would make him an American. He was quizzed by his team in April over Dover race weekend ahead of his citizenship test on that Monday. He crushed it. "If something bad happened to myself in the street, an accident, whatever it may be, with a green card, I could get kicked out an any time," Suarez said. "I felt like it was the right time to start this process. Slowly, I'm getting more and more responsibilities in my life. It was the right time to feel more secure; that I belong here." He's set to get married next month in Brazil and perhaps, in the next few years, start a family. First, he has to get to the altar. "As we speak, I can't leave the country," Suarez said. "I don't have my green card and I don't have my American passport yet. Julia was working her ass off to try and process my American passport to be able to get married next month in Brazil. I thought, hey, if you want to marry me, you'll have to help me out with this."

sports

NASCAR driver, Mexican native Daniel Suarez celebrates becoming American citizen. NASCAR driver Daniel Suarez waves an American flag during a naturalization ceremony, June 18, 2024, in Charlotte, N.C. (Noah Watts/Daylon Barr Photography, Trackhouse Racing via AP) The Associated Press LOUDON, N.H. -- Daniel Suarez took an oath this week and became a United States citizen, then had a surprise confession from his mother — the Monterrey, Mexico native learned he almost was American at birth. Suarez's parents flirted with the idea of heading to America ahead of his 1992 birth and having the future NASCAR star born in the U.S. One problem, the cost was too prohibitive so the idea was scrapped. "In Mexico, I don't know expensive it was, but it was cheaper," Suarez said, laughing. "It's really funny how my parents, they had that thought before I was born, about being born in the United States, I guess to have more opportunities. They didn't do it. "And now, I guess I did it my way." Suarez indeed did it his way, and was one of 48 citizens representing 28 countries sworn in at the field office of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services in Charlotte, North Carolina. "The most special part of everything was, you see so many people there," Suarez said Saturday at New Hampshire Motor Speedway. "I was not expecting it. I was not expecting to see so many people." His fiancée, Julia Piquet, members of his Trackhouse Racing team, and even NASCAR president Steve Phelps were among the attendees that saw the 32-year-old Suarez complete his journey of becoming an American citizen (he will hold dual citizenship with Mexico). Phelps was a surprise guest and delivered the keynote speech at the naturalization ceremony. "I didn't think many people were going to really care about it," Suarez said. "A lot of people really did." Suarez never actually considered becoming an American citizen as he grew up in Mexico. He just wanted to race. His father packed his car and trailer with Suarez's karting gear for the States the first time when they road tripped to Las Vegas for an event. Just 12, Suarez finished strong enough to further fuel the idea he could have some sort of racing career. As the younger Suarez grew fascinated with stock cars, Alejandro Suarez knew he needed to raise the whopping amount of money needed to support this pricey new venture. He sold his auto restoration business and Suarez's stock car career soon took off in Mexico. Suarez had a ride in NASCAR's Mexico series (winning five times in 2014) and NASCAR's low-level K&N Pro Series East, and morphed into a teen sensation at home. After a move to the States — that included a stint in Buffalo, New York — he landed a ride in NASCAR. He won the second-tier Xfinity Series title in 2016 — El campeon! — and became the first foreign champion in a NASCAR national series. Suarez has two career Cup wins — including the closest finish ever at Atlanta Motor Speedway. As he rose through the NASCAR ranks, Suarez at first was focused on his career more than becoming a citizen. "It wasn't a dream of mine," Suarez said. "I came to this country to race and compete. I had been working really hard to try and go to the next step and be more competitive. In a blink of an eye, I've been already here 12 years." As he got older, Suarez realized the significance of becoming a citizen. About six years ago, Suarez became determined to start the process that would make him an American. He was quizzed by his team in April over Dover race weekend ahead of his citizenship test on that Monday. He crushed it. "If something bad happened to myself in the street, an accident, whatever it may be, with a green card, I could get kicked out an any time," Suarez said. "I felt like it was the right time to start this process. Slowly, I'm getting more and more responsibilities in my life. It was the right time to feel more secure; that I belong here." He's set to get married next month in Brazil and perhaps, in the next few years, start a family. First, he has to get to the altar. "As we speak, I can't leave the country," Suarez said. "I don't have my green card and I don't have my American passport yet. Julia was working her ass off to try and process my American passport to be able to get married next month in Brazil. I thought, hey, if you want to marry me, you'll have to help me out with this."

Black soldiers honored by name at Civil War battlefield

A small American flag marks the grave of a Civil War soldier of the United States 1st Mississippi Infantry (African Descent) in Vicksburg National Cemetery, Feb. 14, 2024, in Vicksburg, Miss. Thirteen flags were placed at the graves of Black soldiers killed in 1864 in a massacre at Ross Landing, Arkansas, who were buried as unknowns but have recently been identified. (Rogelio V. Solis/AP) VICKSBURG, Miss. — Thelma Sims Dukes grew up during the 1940s and '50s in a segregated Mississippi town steeped in Civil War history. As a small Black girl, she would walk to school through Vicksburg National Military Park — the hilly battlefield where Union and Confederate soldiers fought and died over whether the U.S. would continue allowing slavery in the South. Union forces won a pivotal campaign to capture the town of Vicksburg and gain control of the Mississippi River in 1863, hastening the war's end. But during Dukes' childhood, Vicksburg venerated the Confederacy and ignored the history of Black soldiers who fought for the Union, including her great-great-grandfather, William "Bill" Sims. "The superintendents and the museum curators — they said we didn't fight in the Civil War," Dukes said recently. The Black soldiers' valor and service to the country is no longer ignored, thanks to the efforts of historians, park employees and citizens like Dukes. On crisp morning in mid-February, Dukes and her niece, Sara Sims, and four park employees — two of them Black men wearing reproductions of U.S. Army uniforms from the Civil War — placed American flags on 13 graves where a group of recently identified Black soldiers are buried in Vicksburg National Cemetery, which is part of the military park. Like father, like son: Book explores legacy of first Black general Todd South A historian working for the military park, Beth Kruse, identified the soldiers through research of military records, newspapers and other sources. Their remains lie beneath white marble headstones carved with numbers rather than names, as are most veterans buried in the cemetery. In recent years, the National Park Service has broadened how it presents history in parks nationwide. In the Vicksburg military park, which is dotted with more than 1,400 monuments, markers and tablets and is one of the largest tourist attractions in Mississippi, drawing visitors from around the globe, the visitor center now includes information about Black history, and a monument to Black soldiers was dedicated 20 years ago. Sunlight dappled the graves under a towering magnolia tree during the flag-planting ceremony on Feb. 14. Dukes said the men and other Black Union soldiers were "freedom fighters," not only for themselves but for all Americans. "They are not unknowns anymore," she said. "This is a start. This is good. Let's put history right." The newly identified soldiers had enlisted in the Vicksburg-based 1st Mississippi Infantry (African Descent) as the town was under federal occupation. In early 1864, 18 soldiers and two white officers traveled by boat some 95 miles north along the Mississippi River to Chicot County, Arkansas, to forage for crops to feed people and horses. On Feb. 14, 1864, at Ross Landing near the town of Lake Village, irregular Confederate troops from Missouri shot the Union soldiers and officers, killing most and leaving some for dead. They used the Union soldiers' own bayonets to impale the dead and wounded, pinning them to the ground, according to research by Kruse. Brendan Wilson, chief of interpretation, education and partnerships for Vicksburg National Military Park, said on the 160th anniversary of the gruesome day in Ross Landing that it's still not known which of the 13 Black soldiers from that massacre is in which specific grave. Records show where the group is buried. "And now we have their names and can bring those names back to life," Wilson said. Kruse is working in Vicksburg through the National Park Service's Mellon Humanities Postdoctoral Fellows program. She said at least 11 soldiers of the 1st Mississippi Infantry (African Descent) were previously enslaved on southern plantations. The Mississippi African-American Monument, a 9-foot tall, bronze sculpture that rests on a pedestal of African black granite, and features two Black Union soldiers, and a common field hand, as photographed, Feb. 14, 2024, in the Vicksburg National Military Park, in Vicksburg, Miss. (Rogelio V. Solis/AP) Vicksburg National Cemetery was established in 1866 and now holds more than 18,000 graves — veterans from six wars and a few former park employees. More than 17,000 of them fought for the Union in the Civil War, including more than 5,500 Black soldiers, designated by the U.S. War Department in 1863 as United States Colored Troops. Vicksburg is the largest cemetery for Union soldiers and sailors, its dead brought from Mississippi, Louisiana, Arkansas and other states. Nearly 13,000 are buried as unknown. About 5,000 Confederate soldiers are buried in a city cemetery in Vicksburg, outside the military park. Some 80 years after the Civil War ended, Dukes' father worked in maintenance at the national military park. She said she has always thought the landscape of the former battlefield is beautiful, but when she was young she never saw any of the history there as relevant to the Black community. "All I know is that the South lost. OK, I did know that," Dukes said. "But none of the battles like we are learning now. I didn't feel like it was any connection to Blacks." In 2004, Vicksburg National Military Park dedicated a monument honoring the Black soldiers who fought in the Vicksburg Campaign. The troops were pivotal in a Union victory at Milliken's Bend, Louisiana, along the Mississippi River north of Vicksburg, in June 1863. Robert Major Walker, a historian elected as Vicksburg's first Black mayor in 1988, proposed the monument in 1999 after spending years doing research and securing money for it. "Something had to be done to show the involvement of Black folk in the Civil War," Walker said recently. "So much positive had been left out of the books of history. Everybody needed to know the truth." Dukes, whose great-great-grandfather fought at Milliken's Bend and survived the war, criticizes efforts by some Republican governors, including Florida's Ron DeSantis and Mississippi's Tate Reeves, to limit the teaching about slavery and other difficult aspects of U.S. history. "And I don't see why the majority of people in America don't say, 'No, you can't do that. Let's tell it all,'" Dukes said. Three days after placing American flags in the cemetery, Dukes joined others inside the military park's visitor center for a libation ceremony, a traditional African religious ritual, to pay tribute to the 20 men killed or wounded at Ross Landing. Albert Dorsey Jr., a history professor from Jackson State University, read the name of each man — Black and white — as he poured water into a pot of soil and grass, a small chunk of Earth brought indoors for the chilly day: Pvt. Henry Berry, Pvt. Calvin Cathron, 1st Lt. Thaddeus Cock, Pvt. Howard Dixon, Corp. Fleming Epps, Pvt. Ruffian Epps, Corp. Peter Everman, Pvt. Charles Farrar, Pvt. Henry Ford, Pvt. John Genefa, Pvt. Anthony Givens, Pvt. Richard James, Sgt. Tony McGee, Sgt. Noah Powell, Pvt. Thomas Ransom, 1st Sgt. James Spencer, Pvt. Isaac Stanton, Pvt. Isom Taylor, Corp. Nelson Walker, Pvt. James H. Boldin. After each name, the audience of about 50 people responded: "Asé," pronounced ah-SHAY, a word from the Yoruba language spoken in parts of western Africa. It is similar to "Amen," an affirmation of a life force. The 13 Black men killed in the massacre were initially buried at Ross Landing, and later interred in the cemetery as unknowns. Three more were wounded and died during or shortly after the Civil War, and also were buried as unknowns. Two others survived until 1918. The two white officers' bodies had been identified and sent home to Ohio and Indiana for burial during the war. Kruse told the audience that the Black men who joined the Union Army were "not groveling for inclusion" but actively chose to fight. "As President Lincoln remarked of the Gettysburg dead," Kruse said, "we, too, can recognize the men who lay in the hallowed grounds of the Vicksburg National Cemetery, and never forget what they did for freedom." In Other News Families balance grief with Osprey pilots' love for the aircraft On Wednesday, a House subcommittee will hold a hearing on the Osprey's safety record as families grapple with the deaths of loved ones aboard the V-22. Junior enlisted pay bump to cost as much as two new aircraft carriers A plan to boost young troops' pay by an extra 15% next year will cost more than $24 billion over the next five years, officials said. Navy investigating sailor's fatal electrocution aboard submarine The Navy has thus far released few details regarding the death of Sonar Technician Submarine 3rd Class Timothy Sanders. Navy explores how to get 'forever chemicals' out of sailor uniforms One Navy effort to move away from forever chemicals could change the way a shipboard jacket stays waterproof, according to budget documents. Patton's Prayer: Discussing the famed general with author Alex Kershaw

military,lifestyle

Black soldiers honored by name at Civil War battlefield. A small American flag marks the grave of a Civil War soldier of the United States 1st Mississippi Infantry (African Descent) in Vicksburg National Cemetery, Feb. 14, 2024, in Vicksburg, Miss. Thirteen flags were placed at the graves of Black soldiers killed in 1864 in a massacre at Ross Landing, Arkansas, who were buried as unknowns but have recently been identified. (Rogelio V. Solis/AP) VICKSBURG, Miss. — Thelma Sims Dukes grew up during the 1940s and '50s in a segregated Mississippi town steeped in Civil War history. As a small Black girl, she would walk to school through Vicksburg National Military Park — the hilly battlefield where Union and Confederate soldiers fought and died over whether the U.S. would continue allowing slavery in the South. Union forces won a pivotal campaign to capture the town of Vicksburg and gain control of the Mississippi River in 1863, hastening the war's end. But during Dukes' childhood, Vicksburg venerated the Confederacy and ignored the history of Black soldiers who fought for the Union, including her great-great-grandfather, William "Bill" Sims. "The superintendents and the museum curators — they said we didn't fight in the Civil War," Dukes said recently. The Black soldiers' valor and service to the country is no longer ignored, thanks to the efforts of historians, park employees and citizens like Dukes. On crisp morning in mid-February, Dukes and her niece, Sara Sims, and four park employees — two of them Black men wearing reproductions of U.S. Army uniforms from the Civil War — placed American flags on 13 graves where a group of recently identified Black soldiers are buried in Vicksburg National Cemetery, which is part of the military park. Like father, like son: Book explores legacy of first Black general Todd South A historian working for the military park, Beth Kruse, identified the soldiers through research of military records, newspapers and other sources. Their remains lie beneath white marble headstones carved with numbers rather than names, as are most veterans buried in the cemetery. In recent years, the National Park Service has broadened how it presents history in parks nationwide. In the Vicksburg military park, which is dotted with more than 1,400 monuments, markers and tablets and is one of the largest tourist attractions in Mississippi, drawing visitors from around the globe, the visitor center now includes information about Black history, and a monument to Black soldiers was dedicated 20 years ago. Sunlight dappled the graves under a towering magnolia tree during the flag-planting ceremony on Feb. 14. Dukes said the men and other Black Union soldiers were "freedom fighters," not only for themselves but for all Americans. "They are not unknowns anymore," she said. "This is a start. This is good. Let's put history right." The newly identified soldiers had enlisted in the Vicksburg-based 1st Mississippi Infantry (African Descent) as the town was under federal occupation. In early 1864, 18 soldiers and two white officers traveled by boat some 95 miles north along the Mississippi River to Chicot County, Arkansas, to forage for crops to feed people and horses. On Feb. 14, 1864, at Ross Landing near the town of Lake Village, irregular Confederate troops from Missouri shot the Union soldiers and officers, killing most and leaving some for dead. They used the Union soldiers' own bayonets to impale the dead and wounded, pinning them to the ground, according to research by Kruse. Brendan Wilson, chief of interpretation, education and partnerships for Vicksburg National Military Park, said on the 160th anniversary of the gruesome day in Ross Landing that it's still not known which of the 13 Black soldiers from that massacre is in which specific grave. Records show where the group is buried. "And now we have their names and can bring those names back to life," Wilson said. Kruse is working in Vicksburg through the National Park Service's Mellon Humanities Postdoctoral Fellows program. She said at least 11 soldiers of the 1st Mississippi Infantry (African Descent) were previously enslaved on southern plantations. The Mississippi African-American Monument, a 9-foot tall, bronze sculpture that rests on a pedestal of African black granite, and features two Black Union soldiers, and a common field hand, as photographed, Feb. 14, 2024, in the Vicksburg National Military Park, in Vicksburg, Miss. (Rogelio V. Solis/AP) Vicksburg National Cemetery was established in 1866 and now holds more than 18,000 graves — veterans from six wars and a few former park employees. More than 17,000 of them fought for the Union in the Civil War, including more than 5,500 Black soldiers, designated by the U.S. War Department in 1863 as United States Colored Troops. Vicksburg is the largest cemetery for Union soldiers and sailors, its dead brought from Mississippi, Louisiana, Arkansas and other states. Nearly 13,000 are buried as unknown. About 5,000 Confederate soldiers are buried in a city cemetery in Vicksburg, outside the military park. Some 80 years after the Civil War ended, Dukes' father worked in maintenance at the national military park. She said she has always thought the landscape of the former battlefield is beautiful, but when she was young she never saw any of the history there as relevant to the Black community. "All I know is that the South lost. OK, I did know that," Dukes said. "But none of the battles like we are learning now. I didn't feel like it was any connection to Blacks." In 2004, Vicksburg National Military Park dedicated a monument honoring the Black soldiers who fought in the Vicksburg Campaign. The troops were pivotal in a Union victory at Milliken's Bend, Louisiana, along the Mississippi River north of Vicksburg, in June 1863. Robert Major Walker, a historian elected as Vicksburg's first Black mayor in 1988, proposed the monument in 1999 after spending years doing research and securing money for it. "Something had to be done to show the involvement of Black folk in the Civil War," Walker said recently. "So much positive had been left out of the books of history. Everybody needed to know the truth." Dukes, whose great-great-grandfather fought at Milliken's Bend and survived the war, criticizes efforts by some Republican governors, including Florida's Ron DeSantis and Mississippi's Tate Reeves, to limit the teaching about slavery and other difficult aspects of U.S. history. "And I don't see why the majority of people in America don't say, 'No, you can't do that. Let's tell it all,'" Dukes said. Three days after placing American flags in the cemetery, Dukes joined others inside the military park's visitor center for a libation ceremony, a traditional African religious ritual, to pay tribute to the 20 men killed or wounded at Ross Landing. Albert Dorsey Jr., a history professor from Jackson State University, read the name of each man — Black and white — as he poured water into a pot of soil and grass, a small chunk of Earth brought indoors for the chilly day: Pvt. Henry Berry, Pvt. Calvin Cathron, 1st Lt. Thaddeus Cock, Pvt. Howard Dixon, Corp. Fleming Epps, Pvt. Ruffian Epps, Corp. Peter Everman, Pvt. Charles Farrar, Pvt. Henry Ford, Pvt. John Genefa, Pvt. Anthony Givens, Pvt. Richard James, Sgt. Tony McGee, Sgt. Noah Powell, Pvt. Thomas Ransom, 1st Sgt. James Spencer, Pvt. Isaac Stanton, Pvt. Isom Taylor, Corp. Nelson Walker, Pvt. James H. Boldin. After each name, the audience of about 50 people responded: "Asé," pronounced ah-SHAY, a word from the Yoruba language spoken in parts of western Africa. It is similar to "Amen," an affirmation of a life force. The 13 Black men killed in the massacre were initially buried at Ross Landing, and later interred in the cemetery as unknowns. Three more were wounded and died during or shortly after the Civil War, and also were buried as unknowns. Two others survived until 1918. The two white officers' bodies had been identified and sent home to Ohio and Indiana for burial during the war. Kruse told the audience that the Black men who joined the Union Army were "not groveling for inclusion" but actively chose to fight. "As President Lincoln remarked of the Gettysburg dead," Kruse said, "we, too, can recognize the men who lay in the hallowed grounds of the Vicksburg National Cemetery, and never forget what they did for freedom." In Other News Families balance grief with Osprey pilots' love for the aircraft On Wednesday, a House subcommittee will hold a hearing on the Osprey's safety record as families grapple with the deaths of loved ones aboard the V-22. Junior enlisted pay bump to cost as much as two new aircraft carriers A plan to boost young troops' pay by an extra 15% next year will cost more than $24 billion over the next five years, officials said. Navy investigating sailor's fatal electrocution aboard submarine The Navy has thus far released few details regarding the death of Sonar Technician Submarine 3rd Class Timothy Sanders. Navy explores how to get 'forever chemicals' out of sailor uniforms One Navy effort to move away from forever chemicals could change the way a shipboard jacket stays waterproof, according to budget documents. Patton's Prayer: Discussing the famed general with author Alex Kershaw

Military investigators raid contractors near Army’s training HQ

A soldier tries out the Army's early prototype of a Reconfigurable Virtual Collective Trainer. On June 25, 2024, military investigators raided facilities belonging to Cole Engineering, which was awarded a contract to create the virtual training device. (Army) The criminal investigative arms of the Pentagon and the U.S. Army descended on Florida last week to execute search warrants, officials confirmed to Army Times. The raid took place June 25 and involved multiple facilities of the Orlando-based Cole Engineering Services, that company confirmed. Cole Engineering is located in the same office park housing the Army's Program Executive Office for Simulation, Training and Instrumentation, or PEO STRI. Officials would not confirm whether the office was involved in the raid, or if other companies and entities were also a part of it. Cole Engineering CEO Bob Donahue addressed the raid in a companywide email sent last week and shared with Army Times on Monday. "While it remains early in the process, I want to be clear that we have no reason to believe that the company or any of our employees have been engaged in any kind of wrongdoing," Donahue wrote. "As I said in my earlier note to you, By Light has always and continues to maintain an intense focus on conducting our business in an ethical and proper fashion." By Light is the parent company of Cole Engineering, a prominent defense contractor focused on tactical simulation tools. Donahue added that the company had initiated its own investigation, engaging a "former well-known, long-time Department of Justice senior prosecutor" to conduct it. "We have launched this review to ensure we have the facts, and our policies and procedures are best practices," Donahue wrote. "This action also reaffirms By Light's longstanding commitment to and reputation for outstanding mission performance while conducting ourselves in a manner that is above board and beyond question." The company, he said, would continue to cooperate fully with government authorities. "To put to rest rumors that may have circulated, let me also confirm for you that no one in the company has been arrested or charged," Donahue said. Reached for comment, the Army's Criminal Investigation Division and the Defense Criminal Investigative Service, which falls under the Defense Department Inspector General's office, provided nearly identical statements. The entities "executed multiple search warrants in Florida on June 25, 2024," Army CID spokesman Keith Smith said in a statement. "As the investigation is still in progress, no additional information can be provided at this time." Neither the Army nor PEO STRI responded to requests for comment or questions about the raid or whether the program office was involved. According to their website, PEO STRI's mission is to "rapidly develop, deliver and sustain testing, training and information operations capabilities to enhance readiness across the operational spectrum." In 2021, Cole Engineering became the prime contractor for the Army's new cyber training environment project, securing a contract worth as much as $957.7 million over eight years to complete the work. PEO STRI has already employed the system at events such as the Cyber Flag 2022 training exercise. Last April, the company landed another $500 million, three-year contract for the Reconfigurable Virtual Collective Trainer system for aviation crew members. Army CID and DCIS play a role in policing contracting fraud, which can include deceptive practices and overcharging, as well as violations of the Procurement Integrity Act, which prohibits the release of source selection, contracting or proposal information by government employees. In Other News How the Osprey crash response reinforced the power of partnerships Outgoing Air Force Special Operations Command boss Lt. Gen. Tony Bauernfeind reflects on the international response in the wake of November's Osprey crash. Are you a naval aviator? We want to hear from you Navy Times wants to hear from Navy aviators about what's going on in their community. ASVAB tutor scams target military prospects, Air Force recruiters say A burgeoning world of scammers preys on would-be military recruits, many of them teenagers, by appropriating the identities of real military recruiters. Retired admiral pleads not guilty in federal bribery case Retired Adm. Robert Burke was indicted last month.

military

Military investigators raid contractors near Army’s training HQ. A soldier tries out the Army's early prototype of a Reconfigurable Virtual Collective Trainer. On June 25, 2024, military investigators raided facilities belonging to Cole Engineering, which was awarded a contract to create the virtual training device. (Army) The criminal investigative arms of the Pentagon and the U.S. Army descended on Florida last week to execute search warrants, officials confirmed to Army Times. The raid took place June 25 and involved multiple facilities of the Orlando-based Cole Engineering Services, that company confirmed. Cole Engineering is located in the same office park housing the Army's Program Executive Office for Simulation, Training and Instrumentation, or PEO STRI. Officials would not confirm whether the office was involved in the raid, or if other companies and entities were also a part of it. Cole Engineering CEO Bob Donahue addressed the raid in a companywide email sent last week and shared with Army Times on Monday. "While it remains early in the process, I want to be clear that we have no reason to believe that the company or any of our employees have been engaged in any kind of wrongdoing," Donahue wrote. "As I said in my earlier note to you, By Light has always and continues to maintain an intense focus on conducting our business in an ethical and proper fashion." By Light is the parent company of Cole Engineering, a prominent defense contractor focused on tactical simulation tools. Donahue added that the company had initiated its own investigation, engaging a "former well-known, long-time Department of Justice senior prosecutor" to conduct it. "We have launched this review to ensure we have the facts, and our policies and procedures are best practices," Donahue wrote. "This action also reaffirms By Light's longstanding commitment to and reputation for outstanding mission performance while conducting ourselves in a manner that is above board and beyond question." The company, he said, would continue to cooperate fully with government authorities. "To put to rest rumors that may have circulated, let me also confirm for you that no one in the company has been arrested or charged," Donahue said. Reached for comment, the Army's Criminal Investigation Division and the Defense Criminal Investigative Service, which falls under the Defense Department Inspector General's office, provided nearly identical statements. The entities "executed multiple search warrants in Florida on June 25, 2024," Army CID spokesman Keith Smith said in a statement. "As the investigation is still in progress, no additional information can be provided at this time." Neither the Army nor PEO STRI responded to requests for comment or questions about the raid or whether the program office was involved. According to their website, PEO STRI's mission is to "rapidly develop, deliver and sustain testing, training and information operations capabilities to enhance readiness across the operational spectrum." In 2021, Cole Engineering became the prime contractor for the Army's new cyber training environment project, securing a contract worth as much as $957.7 million over eight years to complete the work. PEO STRI has already employed the system at events such as the Cyber Flag 2022 training exercise. Last April, the company landed another $500 million, three-year contract for the Reconfigurable Virtual Collective Trainer system for aviation crew members. Army CID and DCIS play a role in policing contracting fraud, which can include deceptive practices and overcharging, as well as violations of the Procurement Integrity Act, which prohibits the release of source selection, contracting or proposal information by government employees. In Other News How the Osprey crash response reinforced the power of partnerships Outgoing Air Force Special Operations Command boss Lt. Gen. Tony Bauernfeind reflects on the international response in the wake of November's Osprey crash. Are you a naval aviator? We want to hear from you Navy Times wants to hear from Navy aviators about what's going on in their community. ASVAB tutor scams target military prospects, Air Force recruiters say A burgeoning world of scammers preys on would-be military recruits, many of them teenagers, by appropriating the identities of real military recruiters. Retired admiral pleads not guilty in federal bribery case Retired Adm. Robert Burke was indicted last month.

US military heightens the security alert at European bases due to a combination of threats

WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. military has raised the security protection measures it is taking at its bases throughout Europe, asking service members to be more vigilant and keep a lower profile due to a combination of threats it is seeing across the region. U.S. European Command said in a statement Sunday that a “variety of factors play into the safety of U.S. military community abroad.” Increasing the threat level to “Charlie” is the result of a combination of events occurring across Europe, including elections in France and the U.K., the upcoming Olympics and other major sporting events, and the ongoing wars in Ukraine and Gaza , according to two U.S. officials who spoke on the condition of anonymity to provide additional details. But they said they were not aware of any specific threat. Force protection Charlie is the second-highest level for service members and is instituted “when an incident occurs or intelligence is received indicating that some form of terrorist action or targeting against personnel or facilities is likely.” Raising the threat level to Charlie means additional security measures will be in place at U.S. military installations, but it's up to each commander's discretion to determine what those measures are. It also means service members and their families who are living in each community should be more aware of their surroundings and maintain a lower profile, one of the officials said.

military

US military heightens the security alert at European bases due to a combination of threats. WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. military has raised the security protection measures it is taking at its bases throughout Europe, asking service members to be more vigilant and keep a lower profile due to a combination of threats it is seeing across the region. U.S. European Command said in a statement Sunday that a “variety of factors play into the safety of U.S. military community abroad.” Increasing the threat level to “Charlie” is the result of a combination of events occurring across Europe, including elections in France and the U.K., the upcoming Olympics and other major sporting events, and the ongoing wars in Ukraine and Gaza , according to two U.S. officials who spoke on the condition of anonymity to provide additional details. But they said they were not aware of any specific threat. Force protection Charlie is the second-highest level for service members and is instituted “when an incident occurs or intelligence is received indicating that some form of terrorist action or targeting against personnel or facilities is likely.” Raising the threat level to Charlie means additional security measures will be in place at U.S. military installations, but it's up to each commander's discretion to determine what those measures are. It also means service members and their families who are living in each community should be more aware of their surroundings and maintain a lower profile, one of the officials said.

FAA Awards New Airport Infrastructure Grants As TSA Expects Record July 4th.

The FAA has granted another $289 million to U.S. airports for infrastructure projects, including $66.7 million to Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX) for taxiway work. The infrastructure law passed by Congress in 2021 provides $25 billion to fund selected airport infrastructure projects, and this is the seventh tranche of money doled out by the FAA under terms of the legislation. U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said the funds are increasingly important because of rising volumes of traffic at U.S. airports. He noted the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is reporting a record number of passengers going through airport screening checkpoints. According to the TSA, the agency anticipates screening more than 16.2 million passengers from July 3-8, the period surrounding the July 4 Independence Day holiday in the U.S. That would mark a 5.5% increase over the 2023 Independence Day travel period, according to the TSA. The TSA said it expects "the peak travel day will be Sunday, July 7, when the agency expects to screen more than 3 million individuals at 434 airports." "High travel volumes and busy security checkpoints have become the norm lately," TSA added. "Twelve of the agency's top 15 busiest travel days [since its 2001 inception] nationally have occurred since mid-May." Buttigieg said in a statement that the "latest round of funding will support key improvements to terminals, runways and baggage systems." The federal money going to PHX, which received the largest grant in this round, will be used for "site demolition and preparation for a new 2,100-ft. taxiway to accommodate more flights," according to the FAA. Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport will get $30.1 million to fund runway reconstruction. Philadelphia International Airport has been granted $22.1 million for the "rehabilitation of a taxiway and engineered safety enhancements to a runway," the FAA said. Hollywood Burbank Airport in southern California received $8.2 million to fund the third phase of construction on its new terminal building. Overall, 129 airports will receive some money from the latest round of grants. In addition to the 2021 infrastructure bill, the recently passed FAA Reauthorization Act 2024 increases Airport Improvement Program (AIP) funding by more than $600 million annually to $4 billion per year—another source of grants for airports looking to fund projects. But Airports Council International-North America (ACI-NA) has warned U.S. airports still face a "significant" financing gap for infrastructure projects, saying money coming from federal taxes and grants will fall well short of airports' infrastructure capital needs in coming years. Speaking at Aviation Week Network's recent GAD Americas conference in Miami, Liying Gu, ACI-NA's vice president for economic affairs and research, said the combined federal funding for U.S. airport projects from the infrastructure legislation, passenger facility charges and AIP will come to around $12 billion per year in 2025 and 2026. But annual infrastructure needs at U.S. airports top $30 billion, she said, adding that airports are relying heavily on debt to finance improvement projects.

aerospace

FAA Awards New Airport Infrastructure Grants As TSA Expects Record July 4th.. The FAA has granted another $289 million to U.S. airports for infrastructure projects, including $66.7 million to Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX) for taxiway work. The infrastructure law passed by Congress in 2021 provides $25 billion to fund selected airport infrastructure projects, and this is the seventh tranche of money doled out by the FAA under terms of the legislation. U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said the funds are increasingly important because of rising volumes of traffic at U.S. airports. He noted the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is reporting a record number of passengers going through airport screening checkpoints. According to the TSA, the agency anticipates screening more than 16.2 million passengers from July 3-8, the period surrounding the July 4 Independence Day holiday in the U.S. That would mark a 5.5% increase over the 2023 Independence Day travel period, according to the TSA. The TSA said it expects "the peak travel day will be Sunday, July 7, when the agency expects to screen more than 3 million individuals at 434 airports." "High travel volumes and busy security checkpoints have become the norm lately," TSA added. "Twelve of the agency's top 15 busiest travel days [since its 2001 inception] nationally have occurred since mid-May." Buttigieg said in a statement that the "latest round of funding will support key improvements to terminals, runways and baggage systems." The federal money going to PHX, which received the largest grant in this round, will be used for "site demolition and preparation for a new 2,100-ft. taxiway to accommodate more flights," according to the FAA. Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport will get $30.1 million to fund runway reconstruction. Philadelphia International Airport has been granted $22.1 million for the "rehabilitation of a taxiway and engineered safety enhancements to a runway," the FAA said. Hollywood Burbank Airport in southern California received $8.2 million to fund the third phase of construction on its new terminal building. Overall, 129 airports will receive some money from the latest round of grants. In addition to the 2021 infrastructure bill, the recently passed FAA Reauthorization Act 2024 increases Airport Improvement Program (AIP) funding by more than $600 million annually to $4 billion per year—another source of grants for airports looking to fund projects. But Airports Council International-North America (ACI-NA) has warned U.S. airports still face a "significant" financing gap for infrastructure projects, saying money coming from federal taxes and grants will fall well short of airports' infrastructure capital needs in coming years. Speaking at Aviation Week Network's recent GAD Americas conference in Miami, Liying Gu, ACI-NA's vice president for economic affairs and research, said the combined federal funding for U.S. airport projects from the infrastructure legislation, passenger facility charges and AIP will come to around $12 billion per year in 2025 and 2026. But annual infrastructure needs at U.S. airports top $30 billion, she said, adding that airports are relying heavily on debt to finance improvement projects.

European Union's competition boss signals fresh AI scrutiny for Microsoft-OpenAI deal and Google

The European Union is escalating its scrutiny of the artificial intelligence industry, including taking a fresh look into Microsoft's multibillion-dollar partnership with OpenAI FILE- The OpenAI logo is displayed on a cell phone with an image on a computer monitor generated by ChatGPT's Dall-E text-to-image model, Dec. 8, 2023, in Boston. The European Union is escalating its scrutiny of the artificial intelligence industry, including taking a fresh look into Microsoft's multibillion-dollar partnership with OpenAI. The bloc started reviewing the multibillion-dollar deal last year to see whether it broke EU merger rules but dropped it after concluding Microsoft hadn't gained control of OpenAI. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer, File) The Associated Press LONDON -- The European Union is escalating its scrutiny of the artificial intelligence industry, including taking a fresh look into Microsoft's multibillion-dollar partnership with OpenAI, a top EU official said Friday. The European Commission, the bloc's executive arm, started reviewing the deal last year to see whether it broke EU merger rules but dropped it after concluding Microsoft hadn't gained control of OpenAI, Margrethe Vestager, the commission's executive vice-president for competition policy, said in a speech. "Microsoft has invested $13 billion in OpenAI over the years," she said "But we have to make sure that partnerships like this do not become a disguise for one partner getting a controlling influence over the other." She signalled that the commission would take another tack to examine the deal, and the industry more broadly. It's using the bloc's antitrust rules, which target abusive behavior by companies that have a dominant market position. The commission sent information requests in March to big AI players including Microsoft, Google, Facebook and TikTok, reviewed those replies and is "now sending a follow-up request for information on the agreement between Microsoft and OpenAI," Vestager said. The EU wants "to understand whether certain exclusivity clauses could have a negative effect on competitors," she said. A Microsoft spokesman said, "We appreciate the European Commission's thorough review and its conclusion that Microsoft's investment and partnership with OpenAI does not give Microsoft control over the company. We stand ready to respond to any additional questions the European Commission may have." "We support the Commission's goal of keeping the AI industry competitive and innovative, and look forward to continuing our constructive dialogue," an OpenAI said in a statement, adding that the company welcomes the conclusions of the investigation. The stepped-up scrutiny highlights how European Union regulators have been pacesetters for the global push to rein in big tech companies, including the major AI players. The EU's led the field with its AI Act, which is set to take effect soon and is the world's first comprehensive set of regulations for AI. Vestager said the bloc was also concerned about consumer choices for foundation models, which is the technology that underpins generative AI systems like chatbots. She said EU regulators have sent information requests "to better understand the effects of Google's arrangement with Samsung" to pre-install Gemini Nano on some devices from the South Korean tech company. Gemini Nano is the smallest version of Google's Gemini AI foundation model. "And we have a number of other preliminary antitrust investigations ongoing into various practices in AI-related markets," she added. The commission is also examining so-called "acqui-hires," where a company buys another one mainly for its talent, such as Microsoft's hiring of Inflection AI's founder Mustafa Suleyman, and other top staff. "We will make sure these practices don't slip through our merger control rules if they basically lead to a concentration," she said.

business

European Union's competition boss signals fresh AI scrutiny for Microsoft-OpenAI deal and Google. The European Union is escalating its scrutiny of the artificial intelligence industry, including taking a fresh look into Microsoft's multibillion-dollar partnership with OpenAI FILE- The OpenAI logo is displayed on a cell phone with an image on a computer monitor generated by ChatGPT's Dall-E text-to-image model, Dec. 8, 2023, in Boston. The European Union is escalating its scrutiny of the artificial intelligence industry, including taking a fresh look into Microsoft's multibillion-dollar partnership with OpenAI. The bloc started reviewing the multibillion-dollar deal last year to see whether it broke EU merger rules but dropped it after concluding Microsoft hadn't gained control of OpenAI. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer, File) The Associated Press LONDON -- The European Union is escalating its scrutiny of the artificial intelligence industry, including taking a fresh look into Microsoft's multibillion-dollar partnership with OpenAI, a top EU official said Friday. The European Commission, the bloc's executive arm, started reviewing the deal last year to see whether it broke EU merger rules but dropped it after concluding Microsoft hadn't gained control of OpenAI, Margrethe Vestager, the commission's executive vice-president for competition policy, said in a speech. "Microsoft has invested $13 billion in OpenAI over the years," she said "But we have to make sure that partnerships like this do not become a disguise for one partner getting a controlling influence over the other." She signalled that the commission would take another tack to examine the deal, and the industry more broadly. It's using the bloc's antitrust rules, which target abusive behavior by companies that have a dominant market position. The commission sent information requests in March to big AI players including Microsoft, Google, Facebook and TikTok, reviewed those replies and is "now sending a follow-up request for information on the agreement between Microsoft and OpenAI," Vestager said. The EU wants "to understand whether certain exclusivity clauses could have a negative effect on competitors," she said. A Microsoft spokesman said, "We appreciate the European Commission's thorough review and its conclusion that Microsoft's investment and partnership with OpenAI does not give Microsoft control over the company. We stand ready to respond to any additional questions the European Commission may have." "We support the Commission's goal of keeping the AI industry competitive and innovative, and look forward to continuing our constructive dialogue," an OpenAI said in a statement, adding that the company welcomes the conclusions of the investigation. The stepped-up scrutiny highlights how European Union regulators have been pacesetters for the global push to rein in big tech companies, including the major AI players. The EU's led the field with its AI Act, which is set to take effect soon and is the world's first comprehensive set of regulations for AI. Vestager said the bloc was also concerned about consumer choices for foundation models, which is the technology that underpins generative AI systems like chatbots. She said EU regulators have sent information requests "to better understand the effects of Google's arrangement with Samsung" to pre-install Gemini Nano on some devices from the South Korean tech company. Gemini Nano is the smallest version of Google's Gemini AI foundation model. "And we have a number of other preliminary antitrust investigations ongoing into various practices in AI-related markets," she added. The commission is also examining so-called "acqui-hires," where a company buys another one mainly for its talent, such as Microsoft's hiring of Inflection AI's founder Mustafa Suleyman, and other top staff. "We will make sure these practices don't slip through our merger control rules if they basically lead to a concentration," she said.

Man wanted in Oregon after recording device found in fitting room, authorities say

A suspect is wanted in Oregon after authorities say a hidden recording device was found inside a fitting room at a clothing store. The Washington County Sheriff's Office released a photo of the unidentified suspect on Saturday, saying that the image was among several photos of the suspect found on the recovered device. The recording device was initially recovered from the fitting room on Dec. 26. The Washington County Digital Forensic Lab fully analyzed the device by Feb. 6 and found no images or video of potential victims on the device. After sharing the suspect’s photo with other police agencies, detectives learned that an incident involving the same individual was reported to the Scappoose Police Department five days before the device was found. REMAINS OF OREGON TEENAGER IDENTIFIED AFTER 54 YEARS USING ADVANCED GENETIC GENEALOGY On Dec. 21, a victim had reported that the suspect had groped them at a Fred Meyer store on Dec. 13 while looking for help in finding items at the store, the sheriff’s office said. The victim positively identified the suspect through a photograph that was found on the hidden recording device found in the clothing store fitting room in Washington County. OREGON VOTERS, LAWMAKERS TURN ON ‘ANTI-POLICE’ DRUG LAW AMID WIDESPREAD OVERDOSES AND HOMELESSNESS Authorities asked for the public’s help in identifying the suspect, who was described as an Asian male, believed to be in his 40s or 50s, with black hair and glasses. No further details about the recording device or at which clothing store the device was found were immediately provided.

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Man wanted in Oregon after recording device found in fitting room, authorities say. A suspect is wanted in Oregon after authorities say a hidden recording device was found inside a fitting room at a clothing store. The Washington County Sheriff's Office released a photo of the unidentified suspect on Saturday, saying that the image was among several photos of the suspect found on the recovered device. The recording device was initially recovered from the fitting room on Dec. 26. The Washington County Digital Forensic Lab fully analyzed the device by Feb. 6 and found no images or video of potential victims on the device. After sharing the suspect’s photo with other police agencies, detectives learned that an incident involving the same individual was reported to the Scappoose Police Department five days before the device was found. REMAINS OF OREGON TEENAGER IDENTIFIED AFTER 54 YEARS USING ADVANCED GENETIC GENEALOGY On Dec. 21, a victim had reported that the suspect had groped them at a Fred Meyer store on Dec. 13 while looking for help in finding items at the store, the sheriff’s office said. The victim positively identified the suspect through a photograph that was found on the hidden recording device found in the clothing store fitting room in Washington County. OREGON VOTERS, LAWMAKERS TURN ON ‘ANTI-POLICE’ DRUG LAW AMID WIDESPREAD OVERDOSES AND HOMELESSNESS Authorities asked for the public’s help in identifying the suspect, who was described as an Asian male, believed to be in his 40s or 50s, with black hair and glasses. No further details about the recording device or at which clothing store the device was found were immediately provided.

USS Gunston Hall is back home after a four-month deployment

A Swedish CB90-class fast assault craft approaches the open well deck of the dock landing ship Gunston Hall during NATO's Steadfast Defender 24 exercise in the Norwegian Sea on March 8, 2024. (Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Danielle Serocki/Navy) The dock landing ship Gunston Hall returned home to Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek, Virginia, on April 11 after a four-month deployment that saw the ship taking part in the largest NATO exercise in decades, according to the Navy. During NATO's Steadfast Defender 2024, Gunston Hall was one of 50 ships taking part in the exercise, which also involved 90,000 troops. The exercise focused on carrying out complex operations across thousands of miles, spanning from the Arctic to central and eastern Europe. Gunston Hall left Virginia in January and first headed to Portsmouth, United Kingdom, where it embarked a landing force that included French marines. After amphibious training exercises in the English Channel, Gunston Hall headed up to the Arctic Circle to work with Italian air assault troops and allied vessels, the Navy said. It later embarked Swedish and Finnish marines and their CB-90 fast assault boats, and went to the high north to carry about further amphibious exercises and well deck operations. Steadfast Defender 2024 comes as NATO's European members work to reconstitute their military capabilities in the face of an increasingly assertive Russia and years of declining military spending in Europe. "Our participation in Steadfast Defender demonstrated our Navy's ability to work alongside and defend our allies," Cmdr. Christopher Van Loenen, Gunston Hall's commanding officer, said in a statement. "The Gunston Hall crew pushed the ship to her full capabilities in order to achieve the exercise objectives, and we did just that. I couldn't be more proud of what we accomplished together." Geoff Ziezulewicz Geoff is the editor of Navy Times, but he still loves writing stories. He covered Iraq and Afghanistan extensively and was a reporter at the Chicago Tribune. He welcomes any and all kinds of tips at geoffz@militarytimes.com. In Other News Families balance grief with Osprey pilots' love for the aircraft On Wednesday, a House subcommittee will hold a hearing on the Osprey's safety record as families grapple with the deaths of loved ones aboard the V-22. Junior enlisted pay bump to cost as much as two new aircraft carriers A plan to boost young troops' pay by an extra 15% next year will cost more than $24 billion over the next five years, officials said. Navy investigating sailor's fatal electrocution aboard submarine The Navy has thus far released few details regarding the death of Sonar Technician Submarine 3rd Class Timothy Sanders. Navy explores how to get 'forever chemicals' out of sailor uniforms One Navy effort to move away from forever chemicals could change the way a shipboard jacket stays waterproof, according to budget documents. Patton's Prayer: Discussing the famed general with author Alex Kershaw

military,world

USS Gunston Hall is back home after a four-month deployment. A Swedish CB90-class fast assault craft approaches the open well deck of the dock landing ship Gunston Hall during NATO's Steadfast Defender 24 exercise in the Norwegian Sea on March 8, 2024. (Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Danielle Serocki/Navy) The dock landing ship Gunston Hall returned home to Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek, Virginia, on April 11 after a four-month deployment that saw the ship taking part in the largest NATO exercise in decades, according to the Navy. During NATO's Steadfast Defender 2024, Gunston Hall was one of 50 ships taking part in the exercise, which also involved 90,000 troops. The exercise focused on carrying out complex operations across thousands of miles, spanning from the Arctic to central and eastern Europe. Gunston Hall left Virginia in January and first headed to Portsmouth, United Kingdom, where it embarked a landing force that included French marines. After amphibious training exercises in the English Channel, Gunston Hall headed up to the Arctic Circle to work with Italian air assault troops and allied vessels, the Navy said. It later embarked Swedish and Finnish marines and their CB-90 fast assault boats, and went to the high north to carry about further amphibious exercises and well deck operations. Steadfast Defender 2024 comes as NATO's European members work to reconstitute their military capabilities in the face of an increasingly assertive Russia and years of declining military spending in Europe. "Our participation in Steadfast Defender demonstrated our Navy's ability to work alongside and defend our allies," Cmdr. Christopher Van Loenen, Gunston Hall's commanding officer, said in a statement. "The Gunston Hall crew pushed the ship to her full capabilities in order to achieve the exercise objectives, and we did just that. I couldn't be more proud of what we accomplished together." Geoff Ziezulewicz Geoff is the editor of Navy Times, but he still loves writing stories. He covered Iraq and Afghanistan extensively and was a reporter at the Chicago Tribune. He welcomes any and all kinds of tips at geoffz@militarytimes.com. In Other News Families balance grief with Osprey pilots' love for the aircraft On Wednesday, a House subcommittee will hold a hearing on the Osprey's safety record as families grapple with the deaths of loved ones aboard the V-22. Junior enlisted pay bump to cost as much as two new aircraft carriers A plan to boost young troops' pay by an extra 15% next year will cost more than $24 billion over the next five years, officials said. Navy investigating sailor's fatal electrocution aboard submarine The Navy has thus far released few details regarding the death of Sonar Technician Submarine 3rd Class Timothy Sanders. Navy explores how to get 'forever chemicals' out of sailor uniforms One Navy effort to move away from forever chemicals could change the way a shipboard jacket stays waterproof, according to budget documents. Patton's Prayer: Discussing the famed general with author Alex Kershaw

Real Madrid fans react to Mbappe signing

announced on Monday that it had reached a deal with Mbappe and he would be joining the club for the next five seasons. The French star wrote on social media platform X that it was "a dream come true" to join the club. "A dream come true," Mbappe wrote. "So happy and proud to join the club of my dream. Nobody can understand how excited I am right now. Can't wait to see you, Madridistas (Madrid fans), and thanks for your unbelievable support. ¡Hala Madrid!" The 25-year-old World Cup winner joins a Madrid team that is already loaded with talent and still celebrating its latest European triumph — and sixth in 10 seasons. "I think he's very versatile in the first place because of the way he plays, he kind of just takes it on his own all the way up," said fan Sheila. "So I'm interested to see how he plays with the team. But I think either way it's going to be a good fit." Spanish fan Mateo was less convinced: "I personally don't like him and I wouldn't have signed him. He absolutely sold us out two years ago and we all shouted against him. We've won two Champions ever since, so I think there was no need," he said. Mbappé joins a team that already features young stars in Vinícius Júnior, Rodrygo and Jude Bellingham.

sports,africa

Real Madrid fans react to Mbappe signing. announced on Monday that it had reached a deal with Mbappe and he would be joining the club for the next five seasons. The French star wrote on social media platform X that it was "a dream come true" to join the club. "A dream come true," Mbappe wrote. "So happy and proud to join the club of my dream. Nobody can understand how excited I am right now. Can't wait to see you, Madridistas (Madrid fans), and thanks for your unbelievable support. ¡Hala Madrid!" The 25-year-old World Cup winner joins a Madrid team that is already loaded with talent and still celebrating its latest European triumph — and sixth in 10 seasons. "I think he's very versatile in the first place because of the way he plays, he kind of just takes it on his own all the way up," said fan Sheila. "So I'm interested to see how he plays with the team. But I think either way it's going to be a good fit." Spanish fan Mateo was less convinced: "I personally don't like him and I wouldn't have signed him. He absolutely sold us out two years ago and we all shouted against him. We've won two Champions ever since, so I think there was no need," he said. Mbappé joins a team that already features young stars in Vinícius Júnior, Rodrygo and Jude Bellingham.

Jury deliberations to resume in Hunter Biden's gun trial

Hunter Biden's federal gun trial will resume deliberations this morning after the president's son on Monday declined to testify in his own defense and both sides presented closing arguments in the historic case. The 12-member jury will decide whether Hunter Biden is guilty of three charges related to his purchase of a gun in 2018, which prosecutors say violated federal law because he was addicted to crack cocaine at the time. He has pleaded not guilty. If convicted of all three counts, he could face up to 25 years in prison and a fine of up to $750,000, though he likely will receive far less than the maximum as a first-time offender. The sentence will be up to the judge. The defense argues that there's no direct evidence Hunter Biden was using drugs when he purchased the gun, while prosecutors say the addiction at the time was well documented and that he knew he was an addict. If found guilty, he would be the first son of a sitting president convicted in federal court. Hunter Biden's attorney Abbe Lowell, second from right, speaks to Judge Maryellen Noreika during court on Monday, June 10, in Wilmington, Delaware. Bill Hennessy The jury in Hunter Biden's federal gun trial will resume deliberations Tuesday after the defendant declined to testify in his own defense and both sides presented closing arguments Monday in the historic case against the president's son. If convicted, Biden could face up to 25 years in prison and a fine of up to $750,000, though first-time offenders like him rarely receive the maximum penalty. He pleaded not guilty to all three charges. "No one is above the law," prosecutors say: In the first seconds of prosecutor Leo Wise's closing arguments, he referenced members of the Biden family who have been in the courtroom, often including first lady Jill Biden. "The people sitting in the gallery are not evidence," Wise said. As he continued, he returned to a theme that his colleague raised in opening statements: "No one is above the law." Jurors, he said, shouldn't treat this case differently "because of who the defendant is." Evidence was "overwhelming," prosecutors say: Wise went on to explain to the jury why the prosecution went into so many excruciating details about the defendant's spiral into crack cocaine abuse. "The evidence was personal, it was ugly, and it was overwhelming. It was also absolutely necessary," Wise said. "There is no other way to prove the use of drugs or addiction to drugs than through the kind of evidence that you saw." He noted, accurately, that the judge's instructions don't require the Justice Department to prove that Biden used drugs on a specific day, but only that he was "actively engaged" in drugs around that time. "It's time to end this case," defense says: During his nearly 90-minute closing argument, defense attorney Abbe Lowell forcefully made the case that prosecutors hadn't met the high burden to prove Biden's guilt. Lowell repeatedly said that prosecutors showed no direct evidence that Biden was using illegal drugs during October 2018 when he bought the firearm. In order to reach a guilty verdict, prosecutors need to prove that Biden was "conscious and aware" of the law and how he was violating it, Lowell argued. Jurors return Tuesday morning to consider evidence against the president's son, who has pleaded not guilty to three charges related to his buying of a gun in 2018 that prosecutors say violated federal law because he was addicted to crack cocaine. The defense argued there was no direct evidence to prove beyond reasonable doubt that he was using the drug when he got the firearm. The two trials — one in Trump's old patch of New York and the other in Biden country in Wilmington, Delaware — represent a remarkable departure from traditional presidential campaigns. Never has a former president and presumptive major party nominee been convicted of a crime. Nor has the child of a sitting president faced that possibility in a trial. Trump pleaded not guilty in New York, as he has to three other criminal indictments ahead of delayed trials.

politics

Jury deliberations to resume in Hunter Biden's gun trial. Hunter Biden's federal gun trial will resume deliberations this morning after the president's son on Monday declined to testify in his own defense and both sides presented closing arguments in the historic case. The 12-member jury will decide whether Hunter Biden is guilty of three charges related to his purchase of a gun in 2018, which prosecutors say violated federal law because he was addicted to crack cocaine at the time. He has pleaded not guilty. If convicted of all three counts, he could face up to 25 years in prison and a fine of up to $750,000, though he likely will receive far less than the maximum as a first-time offender. The sentence will be up to the judge. The defense argues that there's no direct evidence Hunter Biden was using drugs when he purchased the gun, while prosecutors say the addiction at the time was well documented and that he knew he was an addict. If found guilty, he would be the first son of a sitting president convicted in federal court. Hunter Biden's attorney Abbe Lowell, second from right, speaks to Judge Maryellen Noreika during court on Monday, June 10, in Wilmington, Delaware. Bill Hennessy The jury in Hunter Biden's federal gun trial will resume deliberations Tuesday after the defendant declined to testify in his own defense and both sides presented closing arguments Monday in the historic case against the president's son. If convicted, Biden could face up to 25 years in prison and a fine of up to $750,000, though first-time offenders like him rarely receive the maximum penalty. He pleaded not guilty to all three charges. "No one is above the law," prosecutors say: In the first seconds of prosecutor Leo Wise's closing arguments, he referenced members of the Biden family who have been in the courtroom, often including first lady Jill Biden. "The people sitting in the gallery are not evidence," Wise said. As he continued, he returned to a theme that his colleague raised in opening statements: "No one is above the law." Jurors, he said, shouldn't treat this case differently "because of who the defendant is." Evidence was "overwhelming," prosecutors say: Wise went on to explain to the jury why the prosecution went into so many excruciating details about the defendant's spiral into crack cocaine abuse. "The evidence was personal, it was ugly, and it was overwhelming. It was also absolutely necessary," Wise said. "There is no other way to prove the use of drugs or addiction to drugs than through the kind of evidence that you saw." He noted, accurately, that the judge's instructions don't require the Justice Department to prove that Biden used drugs on a specific day, but only that he was "actively engaged" in drugs around that time. "It's time to end this case," defense says: During his nearly 90-minute closing argument, defense attorney Abbe Lowell forcefully made the case that prosecutors hadn't met the high burden to prove Biden's guilt. Lowell repeatedly said that prosecutors showed no direct evidence that Biden was using illegal drugs during October 2018 when he bought the firearm. In order to reach a guilty verdict, prosecutors need to prove that Biden was "conscious and aware" of the law and how he was violating it, Lowell argued. Jurors return Tuesday morning to consider evidence against the president's son, who has pleaded not guilty to three charges related to his buying of a gun in 2018 that prosecutors say violated federal law because he was addicted to crack cocaine. The defense argued there was no direct evidence to prove beyond reasonable doubt that he was using the drug when he got the firearm. The two trials — one in Trump's old patch of New York and the other in Biden country in Wilmington, Delaware — represent a remarkable departure from traditional presidential campaigns. Never has a former president and presumptive major party nominee been convicted of a crime. Nor has the child of a sitting president faced that possibility in a trial. Trump pleaded not guilty in New York, as he has to three other criminal indictments ahead of delayed trials.

Epomaker’s TH80 Pro, one of our top mechanical keyboard picks, is at its best price

Image: Jon Porter / The Verge With RGB lighting and customizability, most mechanical keyboards are way more fun to type on than your regular old keyboard. Those perks typically come at a cost, though — but not as much today because Epomaker’s TH80 Pro is on sale at Amazon for $62.99 ($27 off). That’s a new all-time low price on the TH80 Pro and is available on keyboards with Gateron switches in select colors — including black, red, and yellow — as well as with Budgerigar switches. If you’re on a budget, the Epomaker TH80 Pro is our top affordable mechanical keyboard pick . The 75 percent mechanical keyboard doesn’t feel as high-end as some of the pricier picks in our mechanical keyboard buying guide, and its software isn’t as slick. Nevertheless, it still offers a fantastic typing experience and a good set of features for its price, like hot-swappable switches and keys you can remap via software for greater customizability. The keyboard even features a handy volume knob and slick per-key RGB lighting along with multiple connectivity options, including Bluetooth and 2.4GHz wireless via a dongle.

business,tech

Epomaker’s TH80 Pro, one of our top mechanical keyboard picks, is at its best price. Image: Jon Porter / The Verge With RGB lighting and customizability, most mechanical keyboards are way more fun to type on than your regular old keyboard. Those perks typically come at a cost, though — but not as much today because Epomaker’s TH80 Pro is on sale at Amazon for $62.99 ($27 off). That’s a new all-time low price on the TH80 Pro and is available on keyboards with Gateron switches in select colors — including black, red, and yellow — as well as with Budgerigar switches. If you’re on a budget, the Epomaker TH80 Pro is our top affordable mechanical keyboard pick . The 75 percent mechanical keyboard doesn’t feel as high-end as some of the pricier picks in our mechanical keyboard buying guide, and its software isn’t as slick. Nevertheless, it still offers a fantastic typing experience and a good set of features for its price, like hot-swappable switches and keys you can remap via software for greater customizability. The keyboard even features a handy volume knob and slick per-key RGB lighting along with multiple connectivity options, including Bluetooth and 2.4GHz wireless via a dongle.

Save money on your tax bill by planning now

Watch tax expert Jamie Golombek on how to raise your chances of a refund

business,lifestyle

Save money on your tax bill by planning now. Watch tax expert Jamie Golombek on how to raise your chances of a refund

Israel weighs Hamas' latest response to Gaza cease-fire proposal as diplomatic efforts are revived

Palestinians search for bodies and survivors in the rubble of a residential building destroyed in an Israeli airstrike in Khan Younis, Gaza Strip, Wednesday, July 3, 2024. (AP Photo /Jehad Alshrafi) The Associated Press TEL AVIV, Israel -- Israel's Cabinet was set to convene Thursday to discuss Hamas' latest response to a U.S.-backed proposal for a phased cease-fire in Gaza, as diplomatic efforts aimed at ending the nine-month war stirred back to life after a weekslong hiatus. Fighting, meanwhile, intensified between Israel and Lebanon's Hezbollah, with the militant group saying it fired more than 200 rockets and exploding drones into northern Israel to avenge the killing of a senior commander in an Israeli airstrike the day before. The relatively low-level conflict has literally set the border ablaze and raised fears of a potentially even more devastating war in the Middle East. Hezbollah has said it will halt its attacks if there is a cease-fire between Hamas — a fellow Iran-backed ally — and Israel. The United States has rallied world support behind a plan that would see the release of all of the scores of hostages still held by the militant group in return for a lasting truce and the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza. But until now, neither side appears to have fully embraced it. Hamas suggested "amendments" to the proposal last month, some of which the U.S. said were unworkable, without providing specifics. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has confirmed that the original proposal was an Israeli one, but has raised doubts over whether it would end the war — a key Hamas demand. Hamas confirmed Wednesday that it had sent another response to Egypt and Qatar, which are mediating the talks, without providing details. A U.S. official said the Biden administration was examining the response, calling it constructive but saying more work needed to be done. The official, who wasn't authorized to comment publicly, spoke on condition of anonymity. An Israeli official said Netanyahu would convene a Cabinet meeting Thursday to discuss the latest developments surrounding the negotiations. The official, who wasn't authorized to discuss the meeting with media, spoke on condition of anonymity. Israel would likely hold additional consultations before making a final decision on any amended proposal. As cease-fire talks appeared to be gaining new steam, the Health Ministry in Hamas-run Gaza said the death toll in the war had climbed past 38,000. Hamas political official Bassem Naim said that the group has neither accepted nor rejected the American proposal, and has "responded with some ideas to bridge the gap" between the two sides, without elaborating. Ismail Haniyeh, Hamas' top political leader, has shared suggestions with Egyptian, Qatari and Turkish officials, the group said in a statement late Wednesday. U.S. officials have said the latest proposal has new language that was proposed to Egypt and Qatar on Saturday and addresses indirect negotiations that are set to commence during the first phase of the three-phase deal that U.S. President Joe Biden laid out in a May 31 speech. The first phase calls for a "full and complete cease-fire," a withdrawal of Israeli forces from all densely populated areas of Gaza and the release of a number of hostages, including women, older people and the wounded, in exchange for the release of hundreds of Palestinian prisoners. The proposal called for the parties to negotiate the terms of the second phase during the 42 days of phase one. Under the current proposal, Hamas could release all of the remaining men, both civilians and soldiers, during the second phase. In return, Israel could free an agreed-upon number of Palestinian prisoners and detainees. The releases wouldn't occur until "sustainable calm" takes effect and all Israeli troops withdraw from Gaza. The third phase would see the return of the remains of hostages. The transition from the first to the second phase has appeared to be the main sticking point. Hamas is concerned that Israel will restart the war after the first phase, perhaps after making unrealistic demands in the talks. Israeli officials have expressed concern that Hamas will do the same, drawing out the talks and the initial cease-fire indefinitely without releasing the remaining captives. In a lengthy television interview last month, Netanyahu said that he was prepared to make a "partial deal," but was committed to continuing the war "after a pause" in order to annihilate Hamas. Later, speaking before Israel's parliament, he said Israel remains committed to the deal outlined by Biden. The war began when Hamas-led militants launched a surprise attack on Oct. 7 into southern Israel, attacking multiple army bases and farming communities and killing around 1,200 people, mostly civilians. They abducted another 250 people. more than 100 of whom were released during a weeklong cease-fire in November. Militants are still holding around 80 hostages and the remains of 40 others. Israel launched a major offensive in response to the Oct. 7 attack that has killed more than 38,000, according to health officials in Gaza, who don't say how many were civilians or militants. The war has caused vast destruction across the territory, displaced most of its population of 2.3 million — often multiple times — caused widespread hunger and raised fears of famine. Chehayeb reported from Beirut. Associated Press writers Abby Sewell in Beirut and Aamer Madhani in Washington contributed to this report. Follow AP's coverage of the war in Gaza at

world

Israel weighs Hamas' latest response to Gaza cease-fire proposal as diplomatic efforts are revived. Palestinians search for bodies and survivors in the rubble of a residential building destroyed in an Israeli airstrike in Khan Younis, Gaza Strip, Wednesday, July 3, 2024. (AP Photo /Jehad Alshrafi) The Associated Press TEL AVIV, Israel -- Israel's Cabinet was set to convene Thursday to discuss Hamas' latest response to a U.S.-backed proposal for a phased cease-fire in Gaza, as diplomatic efforts aimed at ending the nine-month war stirred back to life after a weekslong hiatus. Fighting, meanwhile, intensified between Israel and Lebanon's Hezbollah, with the militant group saying it fired more than 200 rockets and exploding drones into northern Israel to avenge the killing of a senior commander in an Israeli airstrike the day before. The relatively low-level conflict has literally set the border ablaze and raised fears of a potentially even more devastating war in the Middle East. Hezbollah has said it will halt its attacks if there is a cease-fire between Hamas — a fellow Iran-backed ally — and Israel. The United States has rallied world support behind a plan that would see the release of all of the scores of hostages still held by the militant group in return for a lasting truce and the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza. But until now, neither side appears to have fully embraced it. Hamas suggested "amendments" to the proposal last month, some of which the U.S. said were unworkable, without providing specifics. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has confirmed that the original proposal was an Israeli one, but has raised doubts over whether it would end the war — a key Hamas demand. Hamas confirmed Wednesday that it had sent another response to Egypt and Qatar, which are mediating the talks, without providing details. A U.S. official said the Biden administration was examining the response, calling it constructive but saying more work needed to be done. The official, who wasn't authorized to comment publicly, spoke on condition of anonymity. An Israeli official said Netanyahu would convene a Cabinet meeting Thursday to discuss the latest developments surrounding the negotiations. The official, who wasn't authorized to discuss the meeting with media, spoke on condition of anonymity. Israel would likely hold additional consultations before making a final decision on any amended proposal. As cease-fire talks appeared to be gaining new steam, the Health Ministry in Hamas-run Gaza said the death toll in the war had climbed past 38,000. Hamas political official Bassem Naim said that the group has neither accepted nor rejected the American proposal, and has "responded with some ideas to bridge the gap" between the two sides, without elaborating. Ismail Haniyeh, Hamas' top political leader, has shared suggestions with Egyptian, Qatari and Turkish officials, the group said in a statement late Wednesday. U.S. officials have said the latest proposal has new language that was proposed to Egypt and Qatar on Saturday and addresses indirect negotiations that are set to commence during the first phase of the three-phase deal that U.S. President Joe Biden laid out in a May 31 speech. The first phase calls for a "full and complete cease-fire," a withdrawal of Israeli forces from all densely populated areas of Gaza and the release of a number of hostages, including women, older people and the wounded, in exchange for the release of hundreds of Palestinian prisoners. The proposal called for the parties to negotiate the terms of the second phase during the 42 days of phase one. Under the current proposal, Hamas could release all of the remaining men, both civilians and soldiers, during the second phase. In return, Israel could free an agreed-upon number of Palestinian prisoners and detainees. The releases wouldn't occur until "sustainable calm" takes effect and all Israeli troops withdraw from Gaza. The third phase would see the return of the remains of hostages. The transition from the first to the second phase has appeared to be the main sticking point. Hamas is concerned that Israel will restart the war after the first phase, perhaps after making unrealistic demands in the talks. Israeli officials have expressed concern that Hamas will do the same, drawing out the talks and the initial cease-fire indefinitely without releasing the remaining captives. In a lengthy television interview last month, Netanyahu said that he was prepared to make a "partial deal," but was committed to continuing the war "after a pause" in order to annihilate Hamas. Later, speaking before Israel's parliament, he said Israel remains committed to the deal outlined by Biden. The war began when Hamas-led militants launched a surprise attack on Oct. 7 into southern Israel, attacking multiple army bases and farming communities and killing around 1,200 people, mostly civilians. They abducted another 250 people. more than 100 of whom were released during a weeklong cease-fire in November. Militants are still holding around 80 hostages and the remains of 40 others. Israel launched a major offensive in response to the Oct. 7 attack that has killed more than 38,000, according to health officials in Gaza, who don't say how many were civilians or militants. The war has caused vast destruction across the territory, displaced most of its population of 2.3 million — often multiple times — caused widespread hunger and raised fears of famine. Chehayeb reported from Beirut. Associated Press writers Abby Sewell in Beirut and Aamer Madhani in Washington contributed to this report. Follow AP's coverage of the war in Gaza at

Simone Manuel channels her winning side, touches first in 50 free to claim individual Olympic race

David Johnston congratulates Robert Finke after a Men's 1500 freestyle preliminary heat Saturday, June 22, 2024, at the US Swimming Olympic Trials in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy) INDIANAPOLIS -- Simone Manuel was feeling a bit down as she prepared for her final shot to swim an individual event at the Paris Olympics. So she pulled out some video of her greatest hits. Talk about a confidence boost. The first Black female swimmer to win an individual gold medal at the Olympics, Manuel earned an individual spot on the final night of the U.S. swimming trials with a victory in the 50-meter freestyle Sunday. Coming back from overtraining syndrome, which hampered her preparations leading up to the Tokyo Games, Manuel won the frantic dash from one end of the pool to the other in 24.13 seconds. She looked a bit surprised when she saw the "1" beside her name on the scoreboard, pumping her fist emphatically. She kept shaking her head as she walked across the deck. "I wasn't feeling real confident after last night," said Manuel, who was only the fourth-fastest qualifier in the semifinals, nearly a half-second behind Gretchen Walsh. "I spent a lot of time watching races where I won. I wanted to channel that Simone because I know I'm a winner." Speaking of winners, Bobby Finke will head to the Olympics looking to defend his titles in the two longest freestyle events. He won the final event of the trials, blowing away the field in the 1,500 freestyle with a time of 14 minutes, 40.28 seconds. He already had qualified in the 800 free, the other event he won in Tokyo. The real race was for the final spot on the Olympic team between David Johnston and Luke Whitlock. They were neck and neck nearly the entire race, before Johnston started to pull away with six laps remaining. Whitlock nearly caught him with a stunning final sprint, but Johnston barely held on to clinch his first trip to the Olympics in 14:52.74. Whitlock touched right behind him at 14:53.00. Whitlock will still be in Paris, having earned a spot in the 800 freestyle. "This meet didn't go the way I planned," said Johnston, who barrolwy missed out in his other events with a third-place finish in the 400 free and fourth-place showing in the 800 free. "It took everything I had to get to that wall. My legs at 300 meters were completely gone. I'm glad I kind of saved my meet." Manuel had already clinched a spot at her third Olympics on the 4x100 freestyle relay, but now she's got an event all to herself. Walsh claimed the second spot in Paris at 24.15, beating out Abbey Weitzeil (24.26) and Torri Huske (24.33). Manuel will try to add to an already impressive resume, highlighted by her starring role at the the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Games when she captured two gold medals and two silvers. Manuel's times began to slip ahead of the pandemic-delayed Tokyo Games. After she stunningly failed to qualify in the 100 freestyle, she revealed that she had been diagnosed with overtraining syndrome. Manuel bounced back to earn a spot in the 50 freestyle, but she didn't advance to the final at the Olympics. Her only medal was a bronze anchoring the 4x100 free relay. After the games, Manuel was ordered by her doctor to shut down all physical activity until her body healed. She finally returned to the pool in early 2023, but didn't event attempt to qualify for the world championships last summer. But a move to Arizona, where she trained under Michael Phelps' longtime coach Bob Bowman began to pay dividends. Now, she's got another Olympic race to show for it after coming up short in the 100 free with a fourth-place showing. "It means a lot," Manuel said. "This meet hasn't been exactly what I wanted or what I worked hard for. It's been a roller coaster. I'm grateful to be back on the team, and that's how I was feeling after the 100 free but also disappointed in the swim. I really wanted to try to refocus for the 50, get back on the team in an individual swim." When she made the team in the 50 free three years ago, it felt like the longest lap of her life. She had that same feeling again Sunday, her arms churning and legs kicking in swimming's most hectic event. "I wanted it bad. I really wanted to swim an individual event," Manuel said. "It wasn't that I was shocked that I could win because I know the work I put in and the racer that I am. It's more excitement. I'm glad it happened today, that I was No. 1 to touch the wall." Johnston had that same feeling after his first two events of the trials produced crushing disappointments. He turned to a football analogy to motivate himself, which seemed appropriate with the trials being held at the cavernous home of the NFL's Indianapolis Colts. "I'm just going to get out there, just give it everything I have, and kind of throw a Hail Mary," Johnston told himself. "I went out there and said Hail Mary and got to the wall second." Finke will head to the Olympics with much higher expectations than he faced in 2021, when he stunningly claimed the 800-1,500 double. Now, he's the guy with the target on his back. But he'll worry about that another day. About halfway through his 1,500 victory, he began thinking of all the things he wanted after the race. "I'm looking to this next week of junk food I can eat," Finke said, grinning. "I'm really looking forward to eating some pizza and burgers, just having some sweets."

sports

Simone Manuel channels her winning side, touches first in 50 free to claim individual Olympic race. David Johnston congratulates Robert Finke after a Men's 1500 freestyle preliminary heat Saturday, June 22, 2024, at the US Swimming Olympic Trials in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy) INDIANAPOLIS -- Simone Manuel was feeling a bit down as she prepared for her final shot to swim an individual event at the Paris Olympics. So she pulled out some video of her greatest hits. Talk about a confidence boost. The first Black female swimmer to win an individual gold medal at the Olympics, Manuel earned an individual spot on the final night of the U.S. swimming trials with a victory in the 50-meter freestyle Sunday. Coming back from overtraining syndrome, which hampered her preparations leading up to the Tokyo Games, Manuel won the frantic dash from one end of the pool to the other in 24.13 seconds. She looked a bit surprised when she saw the "1" beside her name on the scoreboard, pumping her fist emphatically. She kept shaking her head as she walked across the deck. "I wasn't feeling real confident after last night," said Manuel, who was only the fourth-fastest qualifier in the semifinals, nearly a half-second behind Gretchen Walsh. "I spent a lot of time watching races where I won. I wanted to channel that Simone because I know I'm a winner." Speaking of winners, Bobby Finke will head to the Olympics looking to defend his titles in the two longest freestyle events. He won the final event of the trials, blowing away the field in the 1,500 freestyle with a time of 14 minutes, 40.28 seconds. He already had qualified in the 800 free, the other event he won in Tokyo. The real race was for the final spot on the Olympic team between David Johnston and Luke Whitlock. They were neck and neck nearly the entire race, before Johnston started to pull away with six laps remaining. Whitlock nearly caught him with a stunning final sprint, but Johnston barely held on to clinch his first trip to the Olympics in 14:52.74. Whitlock touched right behind him at 14:53.00. Whitlock will still be in Paris, having earned a spot in the 800 freestyle. "This meet didn't go the way I planned," said Johnston, who barrolwy missed out in his other events with a third-place finish in the 400 free and fourth-place showing in the 800 free. "It took everything I had to get to that wall. My legs at 300 meters were completely gone. I'm glad I kind of saved my meet." Manuel had already clinched a spot at her third Olympics on the 4x100 freestyle relay, but now she's got an event all to herself. Walsh claimed the second spot in Paris at 24.15, beating out Abbey Weitzeil (24.26) and Torri Huske (24.33). Manuel will try to add to an already impressive resume, highlighted by her starring role at the the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Games when she captured two gold medals and two silvers. Manuel's times began to slip ahead of the pandemic-delayed Tokyo Games. After she stunningly failed to qualify in the 100 freestyle, she revealed that she had been diagnosed with overtraining syndrome. Manuel bounced back to earn a spot in the 50 freestyle, but she didn't advance to the final at the Olympics. Her only medal was a bronze anchoring the 4x100 free relay. After the games, Manuel was ordered by her doctor to shut down all physical activity until her body healed. She finally returned to the pool in early 2023, but didn't event attempt to qualify for the world championships last summer. But a move to Arizona, where she trained under Michael Phelps' longtime coach Bob Bowman began to pay dividends. Now, she's got another Olympic race to show for it after coming up short in the 100 free with a fourth-place showing. "It means a lot," Manuel said. "This meet hasn't been exactly what I wanted or what I worked hard for. It's been a roller coaster. I'm grateful to be back on the team, and that's how I was feeling after the 100 free but also disappointed in the swim. I really wanted to try to refocus for the 50, get back on the team in an individual swim." When she made the team in the 50 free three years ago, it felt like the longest lap of her life. She had that same feeling again Sunday, her arms churning and legs kicking in swimming's most hectic event. "I wanted it bad. I really wanted to swim an individual event," Manuel said. "It wasn't that I was shocked that I could win because I know the work I put in and the racer that I am. It's more excitement. I'm glad it happened today, that I was No. 1 to touch the wall." Johnston had that same feeling after his first two events of the trials produced crushing disappointments. He turned to a football analogy to motivate himself, which seemed appropriate with the trials being held at the cavernous home of the NFL's Indianapolis Colts. "I'm just going to get out there, just give it everything I have, and kind of throw a Hail Mary," Johnston told himself. "I went out there and said Hail Mary and got to the wall second." Finke will head to the Olympics with much higher expectations than he faced in 2021, when he stunningly claimed the 800-1,500 double. Now, he's the guy with the target on his back. But he'll worry about that another day. About halfway through his 1,500 victory, he began thinking of all the things he wanted after the race. "I'm looking to this next week of junk food I can eat," Finke said, grinning. "I'm really looking forward to eating some pizza and burgers, just having some sweets."

Cities prep for heat wave crossing Ontario and Quebec

Independent Electricity System Operator says there will be enough electricity supply to meet the additional demand created by what's expected to be a prolonged heat wave. Environment Canada warns many Ontario communities could experience dangerously high temperatures this week, with temperatures in the Greater Toronto Area and Ottawa feeling as hot as 45 C along with the humid conditions. Toronto District School Board says in a note to parents that it's expecting "uncomfortable conditions" this week in schools that are only partially air-conditioned or have no A/C at all. A spokesperson for the Ontario Ministry of Long-Term Care says all nursing homes in the province, except for two that are being redeveloped, are "fully air-conditioned." The City of Toronto, meanwhile, says people experiencing homelessness can seek reprieve from the heat at various drop-in centres, shelters and 24-hour respite sites across the city. Environment Canada meteorologist Jean-Philippe Bégin says parts of southern and central Quebec are also bracing for extreme temperatures of between 30 and 35 C, with a humidex of over 40 C. A spokesman for the City of Montreal says each borough has been creating a list of places for people to cool down, including some pools that are opening earlier than planned. Environment Canada meteorologist Gerald Cheng says a weather system south of the border is driving the heat, with hot air expected to move eastward, blanketing much of southern Quebec and most of New Brunswick later this week. Cheng says normal temperatures for this time of year are 25 C for daytime highs and 14 C for nighttime lows.

canada

Cities prep for heat wave crossing Ontario and Quebec. Independent Electricity System Operator says there will be enough electricity supply to meet the additional demand created by what's expected to be a prolonged heat wave. Environment Canada warns many Ontario communities could experience dangerously high temperatures this week, with temperatures in the Greater Toronto Area and Ottawa feeling as hot as 45 C along with the humid conditions. Toronto District School Board says in a note to parents that it's expecting "uncomfortable conditions" this week in schools that are only partially air-conditioned or have no A/C at all. A spokesperson for the Ontario Ministry of Long-Term Care says all nursing homes in the province, except for two that are being redeveloped, are "fully air-conditioned." The City of Toronto, meanwhile, says people experiencing homelessness can seek reprieve from the heat at various drop-in centres, shelters and 24-hour respite sites across the city. Environment Canada meteorologist Jean-Philippe Bégin says parts of southern and central Quebec are also bracing for extreme temperatures of between 30 and 35 C, with a humidex of over 40 C. A spokesman for the City of Montreal says each borough has been creating a list of places for people to cool down, including some pools that are opening earlier than planned. Environment Canada meteorologist Gerald Cheng says a weather system south of the border is driving the heat, with hot air expected to move eastward, blanketing much of southern Quebec and most of New Brunswick later this week. Cheng says normal temperatures for this time of year are 25 C for daytime highs and 14 C for nighttime lows.

Mother-of-five murdered by boyfriend, court hears

Holly Sanchez, 32, was found dead in a bungalow on Oates Walk in Crawley, West Sussex, on 13 May 2023. On Tuesday a jury heard that Ryan Evans, 31, had been arrested on several occasions but had denied abusing her. Mr Evans, from Crawley, who is on trial at at Brighton Crown Court, denies Ms Sanchez's murder. At the time of her death, Mr Evans was on bail with conditions prohibiting contact with Ms Sanchez, the court heard. Prosecutor Ryan Richter told the jury that Ms Sanchez was found with multiple injuries and a "swollen face completely discoloured by bruising". "In the short time they were together, Mr Evans regularly subjected her to domestic violence, beating her and hurting her", Mr Richter said. A post mortem examination of Ms Sanchez's body showed chest injuries and damage to her left lung that had caused her to develop pneumonia, leading to her death. A medical expert told the court her significant brain injury was similar to those sustained after car crashes and falls from significant heights. On April 18, Ms Sanchez told police in an interview that she was scared Mr Evans would kill her but called the following day to retract her statement. Adam Roberts, a friend of Mr Evans, told police that the day before Ms Sanchez's death he had seen Mr Evans "going mental" at her, punching her and stamping on her head. The jury also heard that a neighbour's doorbell camera had captured footage of Mr Evans dragging Ms Sanchez by her hair through the street. Mr Evans told police during his arrest on 13 May that Ms Sanchez had turned up at his home two days before, bleeding from her nose and mouth. He said she had been alive when he went to sleep on the sofa but he had woken up to find her unresponsive and called the police.

world,uk

Mother-of-five murdered by boyfriend, court hears. Holly Sanchez, 32, was found dead in a bungalow on Oates Walk in Crawley, West Sussex, on 13 May 2023. On Tuesday a jury heard that Ryan Evans, 31, had been arrested on several occasions but had denied abusing her. Mr Evans, from Crawley, who is on trial at at Brighton Crown Court, denies Ms Sanchez's murder. At the time of her death, Mr Evans was on bail with conditions prohibiting contact with Ms Sanchez, the court heard. Prosecutor Ryan Richter told the jury that Ms Sanchez was found with multiple injuries and a "swollen face completely discoloured by bruising". "In the short time they were together, Mr Evans regularly subjected her to domestic violence, beating her and hurting her", Mr Richter said. A post mortem examination of Ms Sanchez's body showed chest injuries and damage to her left lung that had caused her to develop pneumonia, leading to her death. A medical expert told the court her significant brain injury was similar to those sustained after car crashes and falls from significant heights. On April 18, Ms Sanchez told police in an interview that she was scared Mr Evans would kill her but called the following day to retract her statement. Adam Roberts, a friend of Mr Evans, told police that the day before Ms Sanchez's death he had seen Mr Evans "going mental" at her, punching her and stamping on her head. The jury also heard that a neighbour's doorbell camera had captured footage of Mr Evans dragging Ms Sanchez by her hair through the street. Mr Evans told police during his arrest on 13 May that Ms Sanchez had turned up at his home two days before, bleeding from her nose and mouth. He said she had been alive when he went to sleep on the sofa but he had woken up to find her unresponsive and called the police.

White House won't say if Biden will address Laken Riley's death at State of the Union speech

White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre avoided when asked whether President Biden plans to address Laken Riley's murder at his State of the Union Address on March 7, 2024. Join Fox News for access to this content Plus special access to select articles and other premium content with your account - free of charge. By entering your email and pushing continue, you are agreeing to Fox News' Privacy Policy, which includes our Notice of Financial Incentive. To access the content, check your email and follow the instructions provided. White House on Tuesday would not say whether President Biden plans to talk about Laken Riley's murder – allegedly at the hands of an illegal immigrant – during his upcoming State of the Union address. Riley, a 22-year-old nursing student at Augusta University, was killed while jogging on trails around the University of Georgia campus. Jose Antonio Ibarra, a 26-year-old Venezuelan national who was living illegally in the United States, has been charged in her murder, which has sparked national outrage and provoked renewed criticism of Biden's border policies. Asked by Fox News White House correspondent Peter Doocy whether Biden planned to address Riley's death during his State of the Union speech Thursday night, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said she had nothing to share about the president's speech related to that topic. "This is such a tragic story and, obviously, situation. This is someone's life that was lost. So I do want to always acknowledge and extend our deepest condolences to her family and to her friends and the people who loved her," Jean-Pierre said. JIM BANKS CALLS ON BIDEN TO 'PUBLICLY ACKNOWLEDGE' LAKEN RILEY AT SOTU President Biden in the Oval Office of the White House on Friday, March 1, 2024. (Chris Kleponis/CNP/Bloomberg via Getty Images) She noted that Biden recently traveled to Brownsville, Texas, to visit the southern border and repeated the White House's attack line on Republicans for opposing a bipartisan deal that would have increased border security funding and tightened rules for asylum-seekers. Republicans who oppose the measure say the deal would have normalized high levels of illegal immigration. Riley's death has become a political rallying cry for Republicans, who argue every crime committed by illegal aliens could have been prevented were the border secure. GOP CONGRESSMAN INTRODUCES 'LAKEN RILEY ACT' TO REQUIRE ICE TO DETAIN MIGRANTS ARRESTED FOR THEFT Laken Riley poses for a photo posted to Facebook. Riley, a nursing student, was found dead near a lake on the University of Georgia campus on Feb. 22, 2024. (Laken Riley/Facebook) Rep. Mike Collins, R-Ga., on Monday announced legislation, the Laken Riley Act, that would require ICE to detain illegal immigrants who are charged with local theft or burglary. Ibarra had been cited in a shoplifting incident before he was released and went on to allegedly kill Riley. Republican Rep. Jim Banks, R-Ind., on Monday penned a letter to Biden, calling on him to acknowledge Riley's death during the State of the Union address. MOM OF TEXAS TEEN ALLEGEDLY KILLED BY ILLEGAL SUSPECT CALLS FOR CHANGE AFTER LAKEN RILEY MURDER Jose Ibarra was arrested on Feb. 23 in connection with Laken Riley's Feb. 22 murder in Athens, Georgia. (Clarke County Sheriff's Office) "As Commander-in-Chief, it is your duty to protect American citizens, and this tragedy highlights the urgent need to address the surge in crime resulting from your negligence at our southern border," Banks wrote. "Your failure to publicly acknowledge this tragedy is unacceptable," he added. Last week, the White House provided a statement to Fox News Digital regarding Riley's death. "We would like to extend our deepest condolences to the family and loved ones of Laken Hope Riley," a spokesperson said. "People should be held accountable to the fullest extent of the law if they are found to be guilty. Given this is an active case, we would have to refer you to state law enforcement and ICE." Biden, himself, has not addressed the death of Riley, despite being asked during a press conference if he bears any responsibility for it following a speech last week. Ibarra, who lived within a five-minute walk of the approximate crime scene, is charged with malice murder, felony murder, aggravated battery, aggravated assault, false imprisonment, kidnapping, hindering a 911 call and concealing the death of another.

politics

White House won't say if Biden will address Laken Riley's death at State of the Union speech. White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre avoided when asked whether President Biden plans to address Laken Riley's murder at his State of the Union Address on March 7, 2024. Join Fox News for access to this content Plus special access to select articles and other premium content with your account - free of charge. By entering your email and pushing continue, you are agreeing to Fox News' Privacy Policy, which includes our Notice of Financial Incentive. To access the content, check your email and follow the instructions provided. White House on Tuesday would not say whether President Biden plans to talk about Laken Riley's murder – allegedly at the hands of an illegal immigrant – during his upcoming State of the Union address. Riley, a 22-year-old nursing student at Augusta University, was killed while jogging on trails around the University of Georgia campus. Jose Antonio Ibarra, a 26-year-old Venezuelan national who was living illegally in the United States, has been charged in her murder, which has sparked national outrage and provoked renewed criticism of Biden's border policies. Asked by Fox News White House correspondent Peter Doocy whether Biden planned to address Riley's death during his State of the Union speech Thursday night, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said she had nothing to share about the president's speech related to that topic. "This is such a tragic story and, obviously, situation. This is someone's life that was lost. So I do want to always acknowledge and extend our deepest condolences to her family and to her friends and the people who loved her," Jean-Pierre said. JIM BANKS CALLS ON BIDEN TO 'PUBLICLY ACKNOWLEDGE' LAKEN RILEY AT SOTU President Biden in the Oval Office of the White House on Friday, March 1, 2024. (Chris Kleponis/CNP/Bloomberg via Getty Images) She noted that Biden recently traveled to Brownsville, Texas, to visit the southern border and repeated the White House's attack line on Republicans for opposing a bipartisan deal that would have increased border security funding and tightened rules for asylum-seekers. Republicans who oppose the measure say the deal would have normalized high levels of illegal immigration. Riley's death has become a political rallying cry for Republicans, who argue every crime committed by illegal aliens could have been prevented were the border secure. GOP CONGRESSMAN INTRODUCES 'LAKEN RILEY ACT' TO REQUIRE ICE TO DETAIN MIGRANTS ARRESTED FOR THEFT Laken Riley poses for a photo posted to Facebook. Riley, a nursing student, was found dead near a lake on the University of Georgia campus on Feb. 22, 2024. (Laken Riley/Facebook) Rep. Mike Collins, R-Ga., on Monday announced legislation, the Laken Riley Act, that would require ICE to detain illegal immigrants who are charged with local theft or burglary. Ibarra had been cited in a shoplifting incident before he was released and went on to allegedly kill Riley. Republican Rep. Jim Banks, R-Ind., on Monday penned a letter to Biden, calling on him to acknowledge Riley's death during the State of the Union address. MOM OF TEXAS TEEN ALLEGEDLY KILLED BY ILLEGAL SUSPECT CALLS FOR CHANGE AFTER LAKEN RILEY MURDER Jose Ibarra was arrested on Feb. 23 in connection with Laken Riley's Feb. 22 murder in Athens, Georgia. (Clarke County Sheriff's Office) "As Commander-in-Chief, it is your duty to protect American citizens, and this tragedy highlights the urgent need to address the surge in crime resulting from your negligence at our southern border," Banks wrote. "Your failure to publicly acknowledge this tragedy is unacceptable," he added. Last week, the White House provided a statement to Fox News Digital regarding Riley's death. "We would like to extend our deepest condolences to the family and loved ones of Laken Hope Riley," a spokesperson said. "People should be held accountable to the fullest extent of the law if they are found to be guilty. Given this is an active case, we would have to refer you to state law enforcement and ICE." Biden, himself, has not addressed the death of Riley, despite being asked during a press conference if he bears any responsibility for it following a speech last week. Ibarra, who lived within a five-minute walk of the approximate crime scene, is charged with malice murder, felony murder, aggravated battery, aggravated assault, false imprisonment, kidnapping, hindering a 911 call and concealing the death of another.

Recent WSU grad's disappearance from Seattle airport tied to missing Idaho man, toddler

Search and rescue crews have located a missing pilot and his aircraft near North Bend after he apparently crashed in a heavily forested area, FOX 13 Seattle reports. Join Fox News for access to this content Plus special access to select articles and other premium content with your account - free of charge. By entering your email and pushing continue, you are agreeing to Fox News' Privacy Policy, which includes our A 21-year-old woman who recently graduated from Washington State University in Pullman disappeared from Seattle International Airport the same day her fiance and his 2-year-old daughter went missing from Moscow, Idaho. Nadia Erika Cole was reported missing from the airport on May 29, according to the private investigator her family hired. Cole's fiance, 21-year-old Aaron Daniel Aung, and his 2-year-old daughter, Seraya Aung Harmon, also disappeared that day. The Pullman Police Department (PPD) on Wednesday issued an arrest warrant for Aung, of Moscow, for first-degree custodial interference for allegedly violating a court-ordered parenting plan. "It is with deep concern and heavy hearts that we address the public regarding the sudden disappearance of our beloved daughter, Nadia," Beata and Kirk Cole said in a statement shared with Fox News Digital. "Nadia recently graduated from Washington State University with honors, marking a significant achievement in her academic journey." MISSING NORTH CAROLINA GIRL'S STEPFATHER CONVICTED OF FAILING TO REPORT CHILD'S DISAPPEARANCE Nadia Erika Cole was reported missing from the airport on May 29, according to the private investigator her family hired. (Instagram) The 21-year-old graduate was "on the brink of embarking on a celebratory family vacation trip to Italy, a trip she and her mother had eagerly planned for over a year," her parents added, but their exciting plans "turned into a nightmare when Nadia left her belongings at the gate to use the restroom and never returned." "Security footage revealed Nadia hastily exiting the airport with a distressed expression, and the last known sighting of her was near the light rail platform north of the parking garage. Since her disappearance on May 29, 2024, there has been no further contact or sighting of her," Kirk and Beata said. Seraya Aung was supposed to be on a fishing trip with her father, Aaron Aung, in Montana until June 3. (Facebook) On Tuesday, PPD announced that they are investigating Seraya and Aung's disappearances. The pair apparently went on a fishing trip to Montana but never returned, police said. Seraya was scheduled to be returned to her mother on June 3, police said. Cole is not Seraya's mother, the family's PI clarified. Seraya's mother, Samara, posted a statement to Facebook following her daughter's disappearance. Nadia Cole was last seen at Seattle International Airport. "I know you'll be home and back to telling me 'no way' any day now, and every fiber of my being can't wait for that moment," she wrote. "…There are a million things I want to say to you and even more things I'm dying to do with you again, I know you'll be home soon. You're my everything and more, I love you." "Nadia is cherished by the hundreds of people who know her, and the circumstances surrounding her disappearance are entirely out of character for her. We are utterly devastated by her disappearance and are fervently praying for her safe return," Beata and Kirk Cole said in their statement. "We implore anyone with information regarding Nadia's whereabouts or any leads that could aid in her safe return to contact the authorities at 877-220-8129. Any piece of information, no matter how insignificant it may seem, could be crucial in bringing Nadia back to us." Aung is described as 5 ft., 9 in. tall, weighing about 135 lbs. with black hair and brown eyes. Anyone with information about the three disappearances is asked to contact the Pullman Police Department or their local law enforcement agency. Tips and information can be shared by calling (509) 334-0802. Cole's family is asking anyone with information to contact authorities at 877-220-8129.

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Recent WSU grad's disappearance from Seattle airport tied to missing Idaho man, toddler. Search and rescue crews have located a missing pilot and his aircraft near North Bend after he apparently crashed in a heavily forested area, FOX 13 Seattle reports. Join Fox News for access to this content Plus special access to select articles and other premium content with your account - free of charge. By entering your email and pushing continue, you are agreeing to Fox News' Privacy Policy, which includes our A 21-year-old woman who recently graduated from Washington State University in Pullman disappeared from Seattle International Airport the same day her fiance and his 2-year-old daughter went missing from Moscow, Idaho. Nadia Erika Cole was reported missing from the airport on May 29, according to the private investigator her family hired. Cole's fiance, 21-year-old Aaron Daniel Aung, and his 2-year-old daughter, Seraya Aung Harmon, also disappeared that day. The Pullman Police Department (PPD) on Wednesday issued an arrest warrant for Aung, of Moscow, for first-degree custodial interference for allegedly violating a court-ordered parenting plan. "It is with deep concern and heavy hearts that we address the public regarding the sudden disappearance of our beloved daughter, Nadia," Beata and Kirk Cole said in a statement shared with Fox News Digital. "Nadia recently graduated from Washington State University with honors, marking a significant achievement in her academic journey." MISSING NORTH CAROLINA GIRL'S STEPFATHER CONVICTED OF FAILING TO REPORT CHILD'S DISAPPEARANCE Nadia Erika Cole was reported missing from the airport on May 29, according to the private investigator her family hired. (Instagram) The 21-year-old graduate was "on the brink of embarking on a celebratory family vacation trip to Italy, a trip she and her mother had eagerly planned for over a year," her parents added, but their exciting plans "turned into a nightmare when Nadia left her belongings at the gate to use the restroom and never returned." "Security footage revealed Nadia hastily exiting the airport with a distressed expression, and the last known sighting of her was near the light rail platform north of the parking garage. Since her disappearance on May 29, 2024, there has been no further contact or sighting of her," Kirk and Beata said. Seraya Aung was supposed to be on a fishing trip with her father, Aaron Aung, in Montana until June 3. (Facebook) On Tuesday, PPD announced that they are investigating Seraya and Aung's disappearances. The pair apparently went on a fishing trip to Montana but never returned, police said. Seraya was scheduled to be returned to her mother on June 3, police said. Cole is not Seraya's mother, the family's PI clarified. Seraya's mother, Samara, posted a statement to Facebook following her daughter's disappearance. Nadia Cole was last seen at Seattle International Airport. "I know you'll be home and back to telling me 'no way' any day now, and every fiber of my being can't wait for that moment," she wrote. "…There are a million things I want to say to you and even more things I'm dying to do with you again, I know you'll be home soon. You're my everything and more, I love you." "Nadia is cherished by the hundreds of people who know her, and the circumstances surrounding her disappearance are entirely out of character for her. We are utterly devastated by her disappearance and are fervently praying for her safe return," Beata and Kirk Cole said in their statement. "We implore anyone with information regarding Nadia's whereabouts or any leads that could aid in her safe return to contact the authorities at 877-220-8129. Any piece of information, no matter how insignificant it may seem, could be crucial in bringing Nadia back to us." Aung is described as 5 ft., 9 in. tall, weighing about 135 lbs. with black hair and brown eyes. Anyone with information about the three disappearances is asked to contact the Pullman Police Department or their local law enforcement agency. Tips and information can be shared by calling (509) 334-0802. Cole's family is asking anyone with information to contact authorities at 877-220-8129.

Lufthansa cargo set to expand operations from Munich

Lufthansa Cargo is set to expand its operations from Munich and for the first time will be operating freighters from the south German hub from July 6, 2024. Operating twice weekly, an A321 freighter will connect Munich with Istanbul Airport, complementing the existing belly network from the airport. “We are looking forward to offering our […]

aerospace

Lufthansa cargo set to expand operations from Munich. Lufthansa Cargo is set to expand its operations from Munich and for the first time will be operating freighters from the south German hub from July 6, 2024. Operating twice weekly, an A321 freighter will connect Munich with Istanbul Airport, complementing the existing belly network from the airport. “We are looking forward to offering our […]

Preqin's founder nets £2bn payday as BlackRock comes calling

A British data and analytics business founded 21 years ago was today snapped up for £2.55bn – four-fifths of which will go to its founder. Preqin, which specialises in providing data and information on the private equity sector and other alternative assets, is being bought by BlackRock, the world's biggest asset manager. The sale will net approximately £2.04bn to Valhalla Ventures, the family holding company of Mark O'Hare, Preqin's founder. The remaining £510m will be shared between management and employees at Preqin, which is based near London's Victoria station and which employs more than 500 people in all of the world's major financial centres including New York, Tokyo, Singapore and Hong Kong. A number of them are expected to become millionaires many times over as a result. Larry Fink is BlackRock's founder and chief executive. Pic: Reuters Remarkably, the deal means that after its completion, Mr O'Hare's personal net worth will be greater than that of Larry Fink, BlackRock's founder, chairman and chief executive and one of the financial world's most influential figures. Money blog: 'Bleak' new security measure seen in Tesco store Mr O'Hare, who will join BlackRock as a vice-chair, said today: "BlackRock is known for excellence in both investment management and financial technology, and together we can accelerate our efforts to deliver better private markets data and analytics to all of our clients at scale. "I look forward to joining BlackRock and continuing to play a role in the continued growth and success of Preqin and our customers." Preqin is not the first business to have been built and sold by 65-year old Mr O'Hare. Educated at the University of Cambridge, where he graduated with a first in Mathematics and Mathematical Statistics, Mr O'Hare - who also represented his college in rowing - went on to study finance at London Business School before joining Boston Consulting Group (BCG), advising clients in Europe, the US and Africa across several industries including financial services, healthcare, retail, industrial and consumer products. After seven years at BCG, Mr O'Hare - who was born in London but was raised in Glasgow and speaks with a slight Scottish accent - left in 1986 to set up an independent consultancy called Goodall, Alexander, O'Hare & Co. Then, in 1993, he launched Citywatch, a provider of financial information which specialised in the monitoring and measuring of UK equity ownership. He sold the business to Reuters in 1998 for a reported £2.5m - four-fifths of which went to him - and left the following year reunited with his former colleague Chris Goodall to set up e-Acorn.com, a business launched to provide seed funding and advice to internet start-ups. While the bursting of the dot-com bubble put paid to those plans, Mr O'Hare - a part-time pilot who in June 1999 crash-landed his Piper Seneca seven-seat light aircraft - resurfaced in 2003 to launch Private Equity Intelligence, or Preqin. As private equity grew in importance as an asset class, so too did Preqin, which in 2016 acquired Baxon Solutions as a way of providing its data and solutions via the cloud. It sold the business three years later but two years on from that, in 2021, snapped up a private markets technology, services and administration business called Colmore. Preqin Academy Around the same time it also launched Preqin Academy as a free online resource for students, early-career professionals and market participants wanting to learn more about the alternative assets industry. Mr O'Hare, a frequent correspondent to the letters pages of the Financial Times down the years, stepped down as chief executive in 2022 and it was reported that the business had been put up for sale. The sale price, though, is considerably higher than the initial £1bn valuation that was originally touted. The FT reported today that the ratings and financial data giant S&P had expressed an interest in Preqin, as had Bloomberg, the terminals giant. Preqin is the latest big-ticket acquisition involving a data provider. IHS Markit, another UK-founded business, was acquired in 2020 for £32bn by S&P while the same year saw the Fast-growing private markets sector For BlackRock, the attraction of Preqin is that it takes the funds giant further into the fast-growing field of private markets, an area of growing interest to fund managers and their clients. Rob Goldstein, chief operating officer at BlackRock, noted that the company had been a client of Preqin for a number of years. He added: "BlackRock's vision has always been to bring together investments, technology, and data to offer solutions that meet our clients' needs across their whole portfolio. "As clients increasingly evolve their focus from choosing products to constructing portfolios, this shift requires technology, data, and analytics that create a 'common language' for investing across both public and private markets. We see data powering the industry across technology, capital formation, investing, and risk management." More from Sky News: Energy price cap falls today but '£600 lift to bills ahead' Away from work, Mr O'Hare and his South African-born wife Lindy, who have four children, have other passions. Thorington Theatre The couple own Stone House Farm, a Grade-II listed farmhouse near Southwold on the Suffolk coast, where in 2019 - just before the pandemic - they decided to build an open-air theatre in a patch of woodland where there was a natural clearing as a result of a Second World War bomb. Thorington Theatre, a 350-seat venue, welcomed its first audiences in June 2021. Initially, the couple thought the venue would just be used by local theatre and amateur dramatic groups, but it rapidly became much bigger. Mrs O'Hare, a former interior designer, told The Stage last year her ultimate ambition was to have the Royal Shakespeare Company bring a production of A Midsummer Night's Dream to the theatre. But she added: "One day, Ed Sheeran will come. He lives at Framlingham, so he's only down the road. That's the dream."

business

Preqin's founder nets £2bn payday as BlackRock comes calling. A British data and analytics business founded 21 years ago was today snapped up for £2.55bn – four-fifths of which will go to its founder. Preqin, which specialises in providing data and information on the private equity sector and other alternative assets, is being bought by BlackRock, the world's biggest asset manager. The sale will net approximately £2.04bn to Valhalla Ventures, the family holding company of Mark O'Hare, Preqin's founder. The remaining £510m will be shared between management and employees at Preqin, which is based near London's Victoria station and which employs more than 500 people in all of the world's major financial centres including New York, Tokyo, Singapore and Hong Kong. A number of them are expected to become millionaires many times over as a result. Larry Fink is BlackRock's founder and chief executive. Pic: Reuters Remarkably, the deal means that after its completion, Mr O'Hare's personal net worth will be greater than that of Larry Fink, BlackRock's founder, chairman and chief executive and one of the financial world's most influential figures. Money blog: 'Bleak' new security measure seen in Tesco store Mr O'Hare, who will join BlackRock as a vice-chair, said today: "BlackRock is known for excellence in both investment management and financial technology, and together we can accelerate our efforts to deliver better private markets data and analytics to all of our clients at scale. "I look forward to joining BlackRock and continuing to play a role in the continued growth and success of Preqin and our customers." Preqin is not the first business to have been built and sold by 65-year old Mr O'Hare. Educated at the University of Cambridge, where he graduated with a first in Mathematics and Mathematical Statistics, Mr O'Hare - who also represented his college in rowing - went on to study finance at London Business School before joining Boston Consulting Group (BCG), advising clients in Europe, the US and Africa across several industries including financial services, healthcare, retail, industrial and consumer products. After seven years at BCG, Mr O'Hare - who was born in London but was raised in Glasgow and speaks with a slight Scottish accent - left in 1986 to set up an independent consultancy called Goodall, Alexander, O'Hare & Co. Then, in 1993, he launched Citywatch, a provider of financial information which specialised in the monitoring and measuring of UK equity ownership. He sold the business to Reuters in 1998 for a reported £2.5m - four-fifths of which went to him - and left the following year reunited with his former colleague Chris Goodall to set up e-Acorn.com, a business launched to provide seed funding and advice to internet start-ups. While the bursting of the dot-com bubble put paid to those plans, Mr O'Hare - a part-time pilot who in June 1999 crash-landed his Piper Seneca seven-seat light aircraft - resurfaced in 2003 to launch Private Equity Intelligence, or Preqin. As private equity grew in importance as an asset class, so too did Preqin, which in 2016 acquired Baxon Solutions as a way of providing its data and solutions via the cloud. It sold the business three years later but two years on from that, in 2021, snapped up a private markets technology, services and administration business called Colmore. Preqin Academy Around the same time it also launched Preqin Academy as a free online resource for students, early-career professionals and market participants wanting to learn more about the alternative assets industry. Mr O'Hare, a frequent correspondent to the letters pages of the Financial Times down the years, stepped down as chief executive in 2022 and it was reported that the business had been put up for sale. The sale price, though, is considerably higher than the initial £1bn valuation that was originally touted. The FT reported today that the ratings and financial data giant S&P had expressed an interest in Preqin, as had Bloomberg, the terminals giant. Preqin is the latest big-ticket acquisition involving a data provider. IHS Markit, another UK-founded business, was acquired in 2020 for £32bn by S&P while the same year saw the Fast-growing private markets sector For BlackRock, the attraction of Preqin is that it takes the funds giant further into the fast-growing field of private markets, an area of growing interest to fund managers and their clients. Rob Goldstein, chief operating officer at BlackRock, noted that the company had been a client of Preqin for a number of years. He added: "BlackRock's vision has always been to bring together investments, technology, and data to offer solutions that meet our clients' needs across their whole portfolio. "As clients increasingly evolve their focus from choosing products to constructing portfolios, this shift requires technology, data, and analytics that create a 'common language' for investing across both public and private markets. We see data powering the industry across technology, capital formation, investing, and risk management." More from Sky News: Energy price cap falls today but '£600 lift to bills ahead' Away from work, Mr O'Hare and his South African-born wife Lindy, who have four children, have other passions. Thorington Theatre The couple own Stone House Farm, a Grade-II listed farmhouse near Southwold on the Suffolk coast, where in 2019 - just before the pandemic - they decided to build an open-air theatre in a patch of woodland where there was a natural clearing as a result of a Second World War bomb. Thorington Theatre, a 350-seat venue, welcomed its first audiences in June 2021. Initially, the couple thought the venue would just be used by local theatre and amateur dramatic groups, but it rapidly became much bigger. Mrs O'Hare, a former interior designer, told The Stage last year her ultimate ambition was to have the Royal Shakespeare Company bring a production of A Midsummer Night's Dream to the theatre. But she added: "One day, Ed Sheeran will come. He lives at Framlingham, so he's only down the road. That's the dream."

Foden 'feels sorry' for under-pressure Southgate

England forward Phil Foden has said the players "need to take some of the blame" for the team's performances at Euro 2024 and that he "feels sorry" for under-pressure manager Gareth Southgate. Southgate's side reached the knockout stages of the tournament by finishing top of their group before beating Slovakia after extra time in the last 16. However, the manner of their play has been criticised with questions asked about team selection and tactics. "The players have got to take some of the blame," said Foden. "There has to be some leaders to get together and find out a solution to why it is not working. "There is only so much the manager can do. He sets you up in a system and tells you how to press. If it is not going like that, you have to [work it out]." When asked about the pressure on Southgate during the tournament and going into Saturday's quarter-final against Switzerland (17:00 BST), the Manchester City player added: "I feel sorry for Gareth. "In training, he has been telling us to press and be high up on the pitch and I feel like sometimes, it has to come from the players. "We have to be leaders. In games we could have got together a little bit more and worked out a solution. Foden was the Premier League's Player of the Season and was voted the Football Writers' Association Footballer of the Year for the 2023-24 campaign as he helped City win the top-flight title. However, he has yet to score at Euro 2024 and has struggled to replicate his Premier League form in Germany. "I've not been the best player in the Premier League to come here and not show it," the 24-year-old said. "[But] every game I'm moving little steps forward and, hopefully, I can put in good performances for England. That's always been my aim to show it for the national team. "The first game was very quiet, in terms of how the game went I didn't have much going forward for myself. "The next games after that I grew. I came close a few times and I was offside [when seeming to score] in the last game [against Slovakia]. Against Denmark I hit the post. "My performances have improved a lot and if [the efforts] go in no-one's saying anything." Foden also rejected the view that when he drifts inside from the left he occupies too similar a position to midfielder Jude Bellingham. "I don't agree with that, I feel we do work good together," he said.

world

Foden 'feels sorry' for under-pressure Southgate. England forward Phil Foden has said the players "need to take some of the blame" for the team's performances at Euro 2024 and that he "feels sorry" for under-pressure manager Gareth Southgate. Southgate's side reached the knockout stages of the tournament by finishing top of their group before beating Slovakia after extra time in the last 16. However, the manner of their play has been criticised with questions asked about team selection and tactics. "The players have got to take some of the blame," said Foden. "There has to be some leaders to get together and find out a solution to why it is not working. "There is only so much the manager can do. He sets you up in a system and tells you how to press. If it is not going like that, you have to [work it out]." When asked about the pressure on Southgate during the tournament and going into Saturday's quarter-final against Switzerland (17:00 BST), the Manchester City player added: "I feel sorry for Gareth. "In training, he has been telling us to press and be high up on the pitch and I feel like sometimes, it has to come from the players. "We have to be leaders. In games we could have got together a little bit more and worked out a solution. Foden was the Premier League's Player of the Season and was voted the Football Writers' Association Footballer of the Year for the 2023-24 campaign as he helped City win the top-flight title. However, he has yet to score at Euro 2024 and has struggled to replicate his Premier League form in Germany. "I've not been the best player in the Premier League to come here and not show it," the 24-year-old said. "[But] every game I'm moving little steps forward and, hopefully, I can put in good performances for England. That's always been my aim to show it for the national team. "The first game was very quiet, in terms of how the game went I didn't have much going forward for myself. "The next games after that I grew. I came close a few times and I was offside [when seeming to score] in the last game [against Slovakia]. Against Denmark I hit the post. "My performances have improved a lot and if [the efforts] go in no-one's saying anything." Foden also rejected the view that when he drifts inside from the left he occupies too similar a position to midfielder Jude Bellingham. "I don't agree with that, I feel we do work good together," he said.

Fire at South Korean Crypto Mining Center Destroys 110 Rigs

A fire at a South Korean crypto mining center destroyed “about 110” mining rigs, firefighters confirmed on June 24. Per MBC News and JTBC , only 30 of the rigs were operating when the fire broke out. What Caused Fire at South Korean Crypto Mining Center? Police and fire service officials say the fire broke out at 12:36 am on June 24, and was “extinguished in about 50 minutes.” The blaze broke out in a building in the Samcheon District of Wansan Neighborhood in South Jeolla Province’s Jeonju. Firefighters in South Korea’s Jeonju battle a blaze at a crypto mining center. (Source: KBS/Screenshot) Emergency rescue workers said it was “known” that the building in question was “equipped with” crypto mining machines. Firefighters said that “part of the building” – some 33㎡–was “destroyed by the fire,” which also consumed all 110 mining rigs. The local fire department estimated that the fire had “caused property damage” worth “over 9 million won [around $6,481].” Police and fire authorities said they were still investigating the exact cause of the fire. Officers said they were interviewing witnesses near the scene. However, firefighters claimed it was “unlikely” that an arsonist had started the blaze. Officials did not say which coins the rigs were being used to mine. Jeonju summer temperatures can rise to an average maximum of around 31°C in August. This week has started off with highs of 25°C to 27°C, however. Downtown Jeonju. (Source: Shamus7792003 [CC BY-SA 4.0]) Crypto Mining in South Korea Despite the popularity of crypto in South Korea, large-scale industrial crypto mining operations are few and far between in the country. Part of the reason for this is the cost of energy, with gas prices rising sharply in the industrial sector this decade. Household gas prices have also shot up by almost 25% in the past couple of years. The government also raised electricity rates in 2023, while observers predict another price rise next month, Chosun reported. Instead, many South Korean crypto mining collectives have looked to invest in overseas mining projects. Scammers have also targeted the South Korean crypto community with suspected “fake” crypto mining-related projects . In 2023, police warned of a rapid rise in crypto mining-themed dating scams , with victims encouraged to invest in overseas-based mining pools. The post Fire at South Korean Crypto Mining Center Destroys 110 Rigs appeared first on Cryptonews .

crypto

Fire at South Korean Crypto Mining Center Destroys 110 Rigs. A fire at a South Korean crypto mining center destroyed “about 110” mining rigs, firefighters confirmed on June 24. Per MBC News and JTBC , only 30 of the rigs were operating when the fire broke out. What Caused Fire at South Korean Crypto Mining Center? Police and fire service officials say the fire broke out at 12:36 am on June 24, and was “extinguished in about 50 minutes.” The blaze broke out in a building in the Samcheon District of Wansan Neighborhood in South Jeolla Province’s Jeonju. Firefighters in South Korea’s Jeonju battle a blaze at a crypto mining center. (Source: KBS/Screenshot) Emergency rescue workers said it was “known” that the building in question was “equipped with” crypto mining machines. Firefighters said that “part of the building” – some 33㎡–was “destroyed by the fire,” which also consumed all 110 mining rigs. The local fire department estimated that the fire had “caused property damage” worth “over 9 million won [around $6,481].” Police and fire authorities said they were still investigating the exact cause of the fire. Officers said they were interviewing witnesses near the scene. However, firefighters claimed it was “unlikely” that an arsonist had started the blaze. Officials did not say which coins the rigs were being used to mine. Jeonju summer temperatures can rise to an average maximum of around 31°C in August. This week has started off with highs of 25°C to 27°C, however. Downtown Jeonju. (Source: Shamus7792003 [CC BY-SA 4.0]) Crypto Mining in South Korea Despite the popularity of crypto in South Korea, large-scale industrial crypto mining operations are few and far between in the country. Part of the reason for this is the cost of energy, with gas prices rising sharply in the industrial sector this decade. Household gas prices have also shot up by almost 25% in the past couple of years. The government also raised electricity rates in 2023, while observers predict another price rise next month, Chosun reported. Instead, many South Korean crypto mining collectives have looked to invest in overseas mining projects. Scammers have also targeted the South Korean crypto community with suspected “fake” crypto mining-related projects . In 2023, police warned of a rapid rise in crypto mining-themed dating scams , with victims encouraged to invest in overseas-based mining pools. The post Fire at South Korean Crypto Mining Center Destroys 110 Rigs appeared first on Cryptonews .

Seattle startup with unique approach to carbon reductions lands $2.5M

Climate Vault’s illustration of its approach to carbon removal. (Climate Vault Graphic) Seattle-based Climate Vault Solutions , a startup working to reduce carbon emissions, has raised $2.5 million in new investments. The business launched last year and takes a somewhat unusual approach to helping companies, organizations and individuals reduce their carbon emissions. Instead of paying for tree plantings or solar installations, Climate Vault buys cap-and-trade carbon pollution permits and “vaults” them so they can’t be used by polluters. Climate Vault Solutions is the sales and marketing arm of Climate Vault, Inc., which is a nonprofit initiative based in Chicago and founded in 2021. Climate Vault is additionally taking the value of the emissions permits and paying companies deploying carbon removal technology to physically pull carbon from the atmosphere. The non-profit was launched “to fix a broken supply chain in the voluntary carbon offset market and to spur innovation in carbon dioxide removal,” said co-founder Michael Greenstone , a distinguished University of Chicago professor in economics and energy policy. Total funding to date for Climate Vault is $11.9 million, according to spokesperson Brandy Gaskins.

business,tech

Seattle startup with unique approach to carbon reductions lands $2.5M. Climate Vault’s illustration of its approach to carbon removal. (Climate Vault Graphic) Seattle-based Climate Vault Solutions , a startup working to reduce carbon emissions, has raised $2.5 million in new investments. The business launched last year and takes a somewhat unusual approach to helping companies, organizations and individuals reduce their carbon emissions. Instead of paying for tree plantings or solar installations, Climate Vault buys cap-and-trade carbon pollution permits and “vaults” them so they can’t be used by polluters. Climate Vault Solutions is the sales and marketing arm of Climate Vault, Inc., which is a nonprofit initiative based in Chicago and founded in 2021. Climate Vault is additionally taking the value of the emissions permits and paying companies deploying carbon removal technology to physically pull carbon from the atmosphere. The non-profit was launched “to fix a broken supply chain in the voluntary carbon offset market and to spur innovation in carbon dioxide removal,” said co-founder Michael Greenstone , a distinguished University of Chicago professor in economics and energy policy. Total funding to date for Climate Vault is $11.9 million, according to spokesperson Brandy Gaskins.

Nordic Service Partners Leverages Oracle Cloud to Enhance KFC Operations

Nordic Service Partners (NSP), a leading quick-service restaurant operator in Sweden and Denmark, has adopted Oracle Simphony Cloud Point of Sale (POS) to support its rapid growth. According to Oracle blog, this move aims to enhance digital ordering, delivery channels, and reporting capabilities across NSP's 19 KFC franchise locations. Streamlined Operations with Oracle Simphony By implementing Oracle's modern restaurant platform, NSP has significantly improved its operational efficiency. The integrated platform consolidates inventory and sales data, enabling faster and more informed business decisions. This streamlined approach simplifies workflows for both front-and back-of-house employees, providing a seamless and efficient working environment. Patrik Eliasson, head of IT at NSP, highlighted the impact of this technological upgrade: "Oracle helped us reduce the technical barriers to business growth by unifying our inventory and sales data across our restaurant portfolio into a single dashboard. With advanced analytics and reporting, we can easily track the most popular items down to each location and ordering channel. This enables us to better plan for inventory and staffing based on buying projections so our customers have a great experience no matter how, when, or where they order." Enhanced Customer Experience and Staff Efficiency NSP has outfitted its KFC restaurants with Oracle Workstation 6 POS terminals and Kitchen Display Systems to modernize operations. These tools provide a consistent and reliable technology experience for staff, ensuring smooth and efficient service. Moreover, leveraging Oracle Cloud Marketplace integrations, NSP has introduced new online delivery channels and plans to incorporate kiosks and counter service orders to expand customer-facing options. Simon de Montfort Walker, executive vice president and general manager of Oracle Food and Beverage, emphasized the importance of technology in meeting customer expectations: "Customers today expect a modern, fast dining experience whether they are ordering in person or online. With Oracle, NSP has given its kitchen and front-of-house staff the technology and tools needed to do their jobs more efficiently with real-time insights into their sales channel performance, so they can continually refine how the company does business to better service customers and the bottom line." Future Prospects This strategic partnership between NSP and Oracle positions the restaurant operator for continued growth and innovation. By integrating advanced technological solutions, NSP is not only enhancing its operational capabilities but also setting a new standard for customer service in the quick-service restaurant industry. As the demand for fast, efficient, and reliable service continues to rise, NSP's investment in Oracle's technology could serve as a model for other restaurant operators looking to enhance their service delivery and operational efficiency.

crypto

Nordic Service Partners Leverages Oracle Cloud to Enhance KFC Operations. Nordic Service Partners (NSP), a leading quick-service restaurant operator in Sweden and Denmark, has adopted Oracle Simphony Cloud Point of Sale (POS) to support its rapid growth. According to Oracle blog, this move aims to enhance digital ordering, delivery channels, and reporting capabilities across NSP's 19 KFC franchise locations. Streamlined Operations with Oracle Simphony By implementing Oracle's modern restaurant platform, NSP has significantly improved its operational efficiency. The integrated platform consolidates inventory and sales data, enabling faster and more informed business decisions. This streamlined approach simplifies workflows for both front-and back-of-house employees, providing a seamless and efficient working environment. Patrik Eliasson, head of IT at NSP, highlighted the impact of this technological upgrade: "Oracle helped us reduce the technical barriers to business growth by unifying our inventory and sales data across our restaurant portfolio into a single dashboard. With advanced analytics and reporting, we can easily track the most popular items down to each location and ordering channel. This enables us to better plan for inventory and staffing based on buying projections so our customers have a great experience no matter how, when, or where they order." Enhanced Customer Experience and Staff Efficiency NSP has outfitted its KFC restaurants with Oracle Workstation 6 POS terminals and Kitchen Display Systems to modernize operations. These tools provide a consistent and reliable technology experience for staff, ensuring smooth and efficient service. Moreover, leveraging Oracle Cloud Marketplace integrations, NSP has introduced new online delivery channels and plans to incorporate kiosks and counter service orders to expand customer-facing options. Simon de Montfort Walker, executive vice president and general manager of Oracle Food and Beverage, emphasized the importance of technology in meeting customer expectations: "Customers today expect a modern, fast dining experience whether they are ordering in person or online. With Oracle, NSP has given its kitchen and front-of-house staff the technology and tools needed to do their jobs more efficiently with real-time insights into their sales channel performance, so they can continually refine how the company does business to better service customers and the bottom line." Future Prospects This strategic partnership between NSP and Oracle positions the restaurant operator for continued growth and innovation. By integrating advanced technological solutions, NSP is not only enhancing its operational capabilities but also setting a new standard for customer service in the quick-service restaurant industry. As the demand for fast, efficient, and reliable service continues to rise, NSP's investment in Oracle's technology could serve as a model for other restaurant operators looking to enhance their service delivery and operational efficiency.

Tiny roundworms carve out unique parasitic niche inside pseudoscorpion's protective covering

The early worm gets the arachnid, fossil research by an Oregon State University scientist has shown. In a parasitic first, a Baltic amber specimen has revealed that millions of years ago tiny worms known as nematodes were living inside of and feeding on the outer protective layer of pseudoscorpions. "This is very strange," said George Poinar Jr., who has a courtesy appointment in the OSU College of Science. "No other invertebrate-associated nematodes are known to have this detailed habit." Findings were published in Historical Biology. Pseudoscorpions are a highly diverse lineage of arachnid, said Poinar, an international expert in using plant and animal life forms preserved in amber to learn about the biology and ecology of the distant past. Smaller than scorpions and lacking a stinger and tail, pseudoscorpions live in a range of habitats globally and are associated with a wide variety of parasitic organisms including nematodes. Nematodes are among the planet's most abundant animals, "free-living" in water, soil and the Earth's crust in addition to parasitizing a large collection of plant and animal species. The fossil nematodes studied by Poinar show well-developed spear-type structures known as stylets. Similar to a hypodermic needle, a nematode uses its stylet to pierce cells and pull out food -- in this case from the pseudoscorpion's hypodermis, part of the outer covering known as the integument. "Aside from the stylets, and being able to determine that some females were still enclosing eggs, other pertinent characters are not clearly visible," Poinar said. "So I placed the nematodes in the established collective group genus Vetus, which was established in 1935 for fossil nematodes that could not be placed in any known extant family." Age estimates of Baltic amber vary widely, Poinar notes, from 23 million years to 55 million depending on who is doing the estimating and which method is used. "The fact that some nematodes were able to establish such unique parasitic associations as what we are seeing is very unusual," Poinar said. "It is hoped that this initial paper will spur researchers to follow up and find more about the systematic placement of these nematodes." Copyright 1995-2024 ScienceDaily or by other parties, where indicated. All rights controlled by their respective owners. Content on this website is for information only. It is not intended to provide medical or other professional advice. Views expressed here do not necessarily reflect those of ScienceDaily, contributors or partners. Financial support for ScienceDaily comes from advertisements and referral programs.

environment

Tiny roundworms carve out unique parasitic niche inside pseudoscorpion's protective covering. The early worm gets the arachnid, fossil research by an Oregon State University scientist has shown. In a parasitic first, a Baltic amber specimen has revealed that millions of years ago tiny worms known as nematodes were living inside of and feeding on the outer protective layer of pseudoscorpions. "This is very strange," said George Poinar Jr., who has a courtesy appointment in the OSU College of Science. "No other invertebrate-associated nematodes are known to have this detailed habit." Findings were published in Historical Biology. Pseudoscorpions are a highly diverse lineage of arachnid, said Poinar, an international expert in using plant and animal life forms preserved in amber to learn about the biology and ecology of the distant past. Smaller than scorpions and lacking a stinger and tail, pseudoscorpions live in a range of habitats globally and are associated with a wide variety of parasitic organisms including nematodes. Nematodes are among the planet's most abundant animals, "free-living" in water, soil and the Earth's crust in addition to parasitizing a large collection of plant and animal species. The fossil nematodes studied by Poinar show well-developed spear-type structures known as stylets. Similar to a hypodermic needle, a nematode uses its stylet to pierce cells and pull out food -- in this case from the pseudoscorpion's hypodermis, part of the outer covering known as the integument. "Aside from the stylets, and being able to determine that some females were still enclosing eggs, other pertinent characters are not clearly visible," Poinar said. "So I placed the nematodes in the established collective group genus Vetus, which was established in 1935 for fossil nematodes that could not be placed in any known extant family." Age estimates of Baltic amber vary widely, Poinar notes, from 23 million years to 55 million depending on who is doing the estimating and which method is used. "The fact that some nematodes were able to establish such unique parasitic associations as what we are seeing is very unusual," Poinar said. "It is hoped that this initial paper will spur researchers to follow up and find more about the systematic placement of these nematodes." Copyright 1995-2024 ScienceDaily or by other parties, where indicated. All rights controlled by their respective owners. Content on this website is for information only. It is not intended to provide medical or other professional advice. Views expressed here do not necessarily reflect those of ScienceDaily, contributors or partners. Financial support for ScienceDaily comes from advertisements and referral programs.

Lufthansa Group partners with eSIM Go

Lufthansa Group (LHG) has inked a partnership with eSIM Go, which will provide eSIM mobile data services to passengers across all four of the group’s airlines. The group rolled out the launch of a SWISS eSIM service earlier this year, and LHG states that it now aims to replicate the model for Lufthansa, Austrian Airlines […]

aerospace,tech

Lufthansa Group partners with eSIM Go. Lufthansa Group (LHG) has inked a partnership with eSIM Go, which will provide eSIM mobile data services to passengers across all four of the group’s airlines. The group rolled out the launch of a SWISS eSIM service earlier this year, and LHG states that it now aims to replicate the model for Lufthansa, Austrian Airlines […]

Be the Leader People Want to Follow… Discover and Empower Your Unique Leadership Style with LEAD!

Designed to transform managers into extraordinary leaders, LEAD! aims to create workplaces that nurture the spirit, reinforce a culture of integrity and trust, encourage authenticity and confidence, and evoke passion and enthusiasm. Gregory H. Garrison is pleased to announce the release of his two transformative books: LEAD! Book 1: Finding Your Leadership Identity and LEAD! Book 2: Developing Your Leadership Style. LEAD! Book 1: Finding Your Leadership Identity For more details, visit Gregory H. Garrison's Official Website LEAD! Book 1: Finding Your Leadership Identity LEAD! Book 1 is the foundational guide and framework for self-discovery to find the leader only you can be. LEAD! provides an anthology of the greatest leadership and management thinking of the past 50 years and synthesizes them into 20 Pillars of Leadership Character to develop a distinctive, authentic leadership approach. Key Features of LEAD! Book 1: Unique Leadership Identity: Discover and embrace your personal leadership style. Foundational Principles: Learn the core pillars of effective leadership. Actionable Framework: Apply these principles to cultivate your authentic leadership approach. LEAD! Book 2: Developing Your Leadership Style LEAD! Book 2 equips you with a comprehensive toolkit of strategies, techniques, and tools essential for putting your unique leadership style into action. Master proven approaches to building high-performing teams, fostering innovation, managing remote teams, and overcoming common leadership roadblocks. LEAD! prepares you to lead with competence and confidence. Key Features of LEAD! Book 2: Actionable Insights: Apply the 20 Pillars of Leadership Character in the real world. Practical Tools: Access strategies and techniques that enhance leadership effectiveness. Proven Methods: Implement learnings from decades of research and practical application. About the Author: Gregory H. Garrison is a visionary leader in new media, business, and technology with over 35 years of experience as a CTO/CIO and Innovation Lab Director. His impressive career includes: Leading digital transformation and IT strategy for top organizations, including Accenture Consulting and PricewaterhouseCoopers. Serving as CTO/CIO and Director of 3 Innovation Labs, driving technological advancements and change management. Holding key roles at TUI Group, AOL Europe, Vodafone, Reuters, and American Express. Garrison's wealth of global expertise and dynamic insights have empowered leaders worldwide. Become the Leader You Were Meant to Be: Why You Need These Books: For general managers, functional managers, mid-level managers, and anyone passionate about refining their leadership skills, LEAD! is an indispensable guide. These books offer tangible, real-world applications that can be immediately integrated into your leadership practice. LEAD! empowers you with the insights, tools, and strategies you need to lead effectively!

lifestyle

Be the Leader People Want to Follow… Discover and Empower Your Unique Leadership Style with LEAD!. Designed to transform managers into extraordinary leaders, LEAD! aims to create workplaces that nurture the spirit, reinforce a culture of integrity and trust, encourage authenticity and confidence, and evoke passion and enthusiasm. Gregory H. Garrison is pleased to announce the release of his two transformative books: LEAD! Book 1: Finding Your Leadership Identity and LEAD! Book 2: Developing Your Leadership Style. LEAD! Book 1: Finding Your Leadership Identity For more details, visit Gregory H. Garrison's Official Website LEAD! Book 1: Finding Your Leadership Identity LEAD! Book 1 is the foundational guide and framework for self-discovery to find the leader only you can be. LEAD! provides an anthology of the greatest leadership and management thinking of the past 50 years and synthesizes them into 20 Pillars of Leadership Character to develop a distinctive, authentic leadership approach. Key Features of LEAD! Book 1: Unique Leadership Identity: Discover and embrace your personal leadership style. Foundational Principles: Learn the core pillars of effective leadership. Actionable Framework: Apply these principles to cultivate your authentic leadership approach. LEAD! Book 2: Developing Your Leadership Style LEAD! Book 2 equips you with a comprehensive toolkit of strategies, techniques, and tools essential for putting your unique leadership style into action. Master proven approaches to building high-performing teams, fostering innovation, managing remote teams, and overcoming common leadership roadblocks. LEAD! prepares you to lead with competence and confidence. Key Features of LEAD! Book 2: Actionable Insights: Apply the 20 Pillars of Leadership Character in the real world. Practical Tools: Access strategies and techniques that enhance leadership effectiveness. Proven Methods: Implement learnings from decades of research and practical application. About the Author: Gregory H. Garrison is a visionary leader in new media, business, and technology with over 35 years of experience as a CTO/CIO and Innovation Lab Director. His impressive career includes: Leading digital transformation and IT strategy for top organizations, including Accenture Consulting and PricewaterhouseCoopers. Serving as CTO/CIO and Director of 3 Innovation Labs, driving technological advancements and change management. Holding key roles at TUI Group, AOL Europe, Vodafone, Reuters, and American Express. Garrison's wealth of global expertise and dynamic insights have empowered leaders worldwide. Become the Leader You Were Meant to Be: Why You Need These Books: For general managers, functional managers, mid-level managers, and anyone passionate about refining their leadership skills, LEAD! is an indispensable guide. These books offer tangible, real-world applications that can be immediately integrated into your leadership practice. LEAD! empowers you with the insights, tools, and strategies you need to lead effectively!

Kitsch, colourful and totally reversible: the rented Paris flat given a thoroughly modern makeover

Kitsch, colourful and totally reversible: the rented Paris flat given a thoroughly modern makeover T he Olympic torch might be on its way to Paris, along with 15 million visitors, but, like thousands of their fellow Parisians, Anaïs Seguin, Alice Gras and their newborn daughter, Gisèle, won't be around to greet them. "We will be on a beach in the south of France," says Seguin. "It's going to be crazy here." Until their summer sojourn, the family – including three-year-old silver tabby Billie – are happily in residence in the Haussmann apartment they started renting last year in the leafy, village-like 17th arrondissement. A prototype coffee table by Delajoie Editions sits at the centre of their living room, while the white walls are decorated with removable yellow fabric panels. The sofas are from the Rotondo modular range by The Socialite Family. Anaïs, 36, and Alice, 38, have been business partners for 10 years and a couple for almost nine, building up their furniture and graphic design studio Delajoie Editions, as well as running Anaïs Seguin, left, and Alice Gras in their apartment with their daughter, Gisèle. A bright central space is home to the living room, where Rotondo sofa modules – recently re-covered in citrus-coloured velvet – match canary-yellow Dedar moiré fabric panels that the couple have cut to fit into the mouldings on the walls of the lounge. The kitchen, where the couple love baking matcha cookies. The flooring was designed by Alice, and the striped fabric was a collaboration between Delajoie Editions and Colours of Arley. As tenants, the couple, who previously lived in an apartment nearby, have had to be inventive with their design choices. The panelling in the living room is easily removable, making it a convenient way to add glamour that they can take with them when they leave. Original bathroom and kitchen units have been given "country house" flair with candy-striped curtains and geometric vinyl flooring, to colour match. "A temporary and elegant solution to cover the grey and sad floor," says Anaïs. Alice created the flooring and striped fabric in the bathroom. The shower curtain has been made from fabric by Luke Edward Hall for Rubelli. The only way to get a look behind the scenes of the Saturday magazine. Sign up to get the inside story from our top writers as well as all the must-read articles and columns, delivered to your inbox every weekend. Enter your email address Privacy Notice: Newsletters may contain info about charities, online ads, and content funded by outside parties. For more information see our Privacy Policy. We use Google reCaptcha to protect our website and the Google Relaxing blue walls make the bedroom a calming space. The Venetian-style frieze was hand painted by Alice, and the bed linen is from Merci. Tripling up as a family room, an office and a place to entertain at the weekend; it's this space that the family spend much of their time in. It was because of regular "long lunches" with friends and contacts that the couple commissioned a wooden bench for the room, to expand seating at the dining table. Painted in a lavender blue reminiscent of the fields of Provence, the bench serves another purpose, too. Like many new parents, the couple often find that mess creeps in to their apartment, but a spacious cupboard under the seat means they can clear clutter away quickly – ensuring their home remains an oasis from busy Paris outside. "This is the perfect apartment for us," Anaïs says, of its relaxing atmosphere. "It feels like a little bit of the countryside in the city."

lifestyle

Kitsch, colourful and totally reversible: the rented Paris flat given a thoroughly modern makeover. Kitsch, colourful and totally reversible: the rented Paris flat given a thoroughly modern makeover T he Olympic torch might be on its way to Paris, along with 15 million visitors, but, like thousands of their fellow Parisians, Anaïs Seguin, Alice Gras and their newborn daughter, Gisèle, won't be around to greet them. "We will be on a beach in the south of France," says Seguin. "It's going to be crazy here." Until their summer sojourn, the family – including three-year-old silver tabby Billie – are happily in residence in the Haussmann apartment they started renting last year in the leafy, village-like 17th arrondissement. A prototype coffee table by Delajoie Editions sits at the centre of their living room, while the white walls are decorated with removable yellow fabric panels. The sofas are from the Rotondo modular range by The Socialite Family. Anaïs, 36, and Alice, 38, have been business partners for 10 years and a couple for almost nine, building up their furniture and graphic design studio Delajoie Editions, as well as running Anaïs Seguin, left, and Alice Gras in their apartment with their daughter, Gisèle. A bright central space is home to the living room, where Rotondo sofa modules – recently re-covered in citrus-coloured velvet – match canary-yellow Dedar moiré fabric panels that the couple have cut to fit into the mouldings on the walls of the lounge. The kitchen, where the couple love baking matcha cookies. The flooring was designed by Alice, and the striped fabric was a collaboration between Delajoie Editions and Colours of Arley. As tenants, the couple, who previously lived in an apartment nearby, have had to be inventive with their design choices. The panelling in the living room is easily removable, making it a convenient way to add glamour that they can take with them when they leave. Original bathroom and kitchen units have been given "country house" flair with candy-striped curtains and geometric vinyl flooring, to colour match. "A temporary and elegant solution to cover the grey and sad floor," says Anaïs. Alice created the flooring and striped fabric in the bathroom. The shower curtain has been made from fabric by Luke Edward Hall for Rubelli. The only way to get a look behind the scenes of the Saturday magazine. Sign up to get the inside story from our top writers as well as all the must-read articles and columns, delivered to your inbox every weekend. Enter your email address Privacy Notice: Newsletters may contain info about charities, online ads, and content funded by outside parties. For more information see our Privacy Policy. We use Google reCaptcha to protect our website and the Google Relaxing blue walls make the bedroom a calming space. The Venetian-style frieze was hand painted by Alice, and the bed linen is from Merci. Tripling up as a family room, an office and a place to entertain at the weekend; it's this space that the family spend much of their time in. It was because of regular "long lunches" with friends and contacts that the couple commissioned a wooden bench for the room, to expand seating at the dining table. Painted in a lavender blue reminiscent of the fields of Provence, the bench serves another purpose, too. Like many new parents, the couple often find that mess creeps in to their apartment, but a spacious cupboard under the seat means they can clear clutter away quickly – ensuring their home remains an oasis from busy Paris outside. "This is the perfect apartment for us," Anaïs says, of its relaxing atmosphere. "It feels like a little bit of the countryside in the city."

Hertz Global Holdings, Inc. Sued for Securities Law Violations - Contact The Rosen Law Firm Before July 30, 2024 to Discuss Your Rights - HTZ

So what: If you purchased Hertz 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 Hertz class action, go to or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email July 30, 2024. A lead plaintiff is a representative party acting on behalf of other class members in directing the litigation. Details of the case: According to the lawsuit, defendants throughout the Class Period made false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose that: (1) Hertz had downplayed the financial impact of vehicle depreciation, and/or overstated its ability to track and manage vehicle depreciation; (2) demand for Hertz's electric vehicles ("EVs") was not as strong as defendants had led investors to believe; (3) Hertz had too many vehicles, particularly EVs, in its fleet to remain profitable; (4) as a result of all the foregoing, Hertz was likely to incur significant losses on the disposition of both its internal combustion engine ("ICE") vehicles and EVs; (5) all the foregoing was likely to, and did, have a significant negative impact on Hertz's financial results; and (6) as a result, Hertz's public statements were materially false and misleading at all relevant times. When the true details entered the market, the lawsuit claims that investors suffered damages. To join the Hertz class action, go to or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email [email protected] for information on the class action. No Class Has Been Certified. Until a class is certified, you are not represented by counsel unless you retain one. You may select counsel of your choice. You may also remain an absent class member and do nothing at this point. An investor's ability to share in any potential future recovery is not dependent upon serving as lead plaintiff. Follow us for updates on LinkedIn: on Twitter: or on Facebook:

motors

Hertz Global Holdings, Inc. Sued for Securities Law Violations - Contact The Rosen Law Firm Before July 30, 2024 to Discuss Your Rights - HTZ. So what: If you purchased Hertz 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 Hertz class action, go to or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email July 30, 2024. A lead plaintiff is a representative party acting on behalf of other class members in directing the litigation. Details of the case: According to the lawsuit, defendants throughout the Class Period made false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose that: (1) Hertz had downplayed the financial impact of vehicle depreciation, and/or overstated its ability to track and manage vehicle depreciation; (2) demand for Hertz's electric vehicles ("EVs") was not as strong as defendants had led investors to believe; (3) Hertz had too many vehicles, particularly EVs, in its fleet to remain profitable; (4) as a result of all the foregoing, Hertz was likely to incur significant losses on the disposition of both its internal combustion engine ("ICE") vehicles and EVs; (5) all the foregoing was likely to, and did, have a significant negative impact on Hertz's financial results; and (6) as a result, Hertz's public statements were materially false and misleading at all relevant times. When the true details entered the market, the lawsuit claims that investors suffered damages. To join the Hertz class action, go to or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email [email protected] for information on the class action. No Class Has Been Certified. Until a class is certified, you are not represented by counsel unless you retain one. You may select counsel of your choice. You may also remain an absent class member and do nothing at this point. An investor's ability to share in any potential future recovery is not dependent upon serving as lead plaintiff. Follow us for updates on LinkedIn: on Twitter: or on Facebook:

International Criminal Court convicts al-Qaida-linked extremist leader of war crimes and crimes against humanity in Mali

International Criminal Court convicts al-Qaida-linked extremist leader of war crimes and crimes against humanity in Mali

usa

International Criminal Court convicts al-Qaida-linked extremist leader of war crimes and crimes against humanity in Mali. International Criminal Court convicts al-Qaida-linked extremist leader of war crimes and crimes against humanity in Mali

House panel takes aim at Navy size, new capabilities in defense bill

A defense policy bill released this week by the House Armed Services Committee expresses concerns over the Navy's aging cruisers, the cost and capability of a planned amphibious ship, development of capability to rearm vessels at sea, and more. The language in the committee's fiscal 2025 National Defense Authorization Act represents a continuation of disagreements between lawmakers and the sea service. The panel in recent years has clashed with the Navy in regard to balancing readiness, fleet size and the creation of next-generation technology. Here are some of the issues House lawmakers take issue with. Fleet size As has been the case for years, the House Armed Services Committee is limiting how many Ticonderoga-class cruisers the Navy can retire. The service in its FY25 plan asked to retire four: USS Philippine Sea, USS Normandy, USS Shiloh and USS Lake Erie. The committee's version of the NDAA "would prohibit the retirement of the Guided Missile Cruisers USS Shiloh (CG 67) and USS Lake Erie (CG 70)", as well as prevent the Navy from retiring or laying up more than two other cruisers. The bill also calls for the Navy to buy a second Virginia-class submarine in FY25. This move sticks to the broader plan to buy two a year, but deviates from the Navy's FY25 request for one per year, which reportedly took committee members by surprise. More broadly, the committee takes issue with the Navy's latest annual long-range shipbuilding plan, its budget request, and inconsistencies on near-term fleet size from one year's plan to the next. "This section would require the Navy to be consistent in the first 10-year planning window of the annual 30-year Shipbuilding Report to Congress," the language reads. If a plan would reduce the total number of ships in the fleet in that first 10 years compared to the previous year's plan, the committee's language would require the Navy to submit an additional assessment to describe how that reduction would support the National Security Strategy, what resources it would free up, how much money the shipbuilding industrial base would lose out on, how this would affect shipbuilders and lower-tier suppliers, and what the reductions would mean for the ship classes in question. The Nimitz-class aircraft carriers Carl Vinson and Ronald Reagan sail in formation in the Philippine Sea on Nov. 6, 2023. (MC1 Ryre Arciaga/U.S. Navy) New ship programs The committee and other congressional panels have expressed skepticism of new ship programs following challenges with the Littoral Combat Ship and Zumwalt-class destroyer programs as well as the first-in-class aircraft carrier Gerald R. Ford. The House Armed Services Committee aims to exert additional oversight in its bill. The language asks for assurances from the Navy that, before construction begins, each new block of a ship will have its detail design completed, the Navy will obtain all information from its vendors about system maturity, and specifications will be finalized. Specific to the current and future destroyer programs, the NDAA states: "The committee remains concerned about the ability of the Navy's destroyers to meet future threats, especially as missile technology continues to advance." Noting the DDG(X) program for a next-generation destroyer will leverage both the Arleigh Burke and Zumwalt classes of destroyers, and that the Navy expects to spend more than $100 billion between 2019 and 2048 designing and building this class, the NDAA asks for: The Zumwalt-class guided-missile destroyer Michael Monsoor leads a formation of U.S. Navy vessels on April 21, 2021. (Chief MC Shannon Renfroe/U.S. Navy) The bill also calls for information on how the Navy will select the best propulsion system for the new ship. It notes two potential technologies — permanent magnet and high-temperature superconducting motors — and suggests the Navy develop both now to avoid a "late-stage failure in the selected motor technology [that] could significantly derail the lead ship's schedule." On the Landing Ship Medium program for the planned amphibious ship, the bill would prevent the Navy from spending any money to buy these ships until the service secretary certifies the ship design is predominantly based on commercial specifications. The Marine Corps wanted to begin buying these ships, previously called the light amphibious ship, in FY22. The program was delayed for budget reasons, but the Navy, Marine Corps and Office of the Secretary of Defense have spent the intervening years debating how to balance the desire to make these craft cheap and plentiful versus the desire to make them survivable during combat. The Corps' original vision was a commercial design that would blend in with local shipping and therefore create a level of safety for the Marines and sailors onboard, rather than having a military design that stands out from local boats but can take a hit and defend itself. The NDAA language specifies the design should "not [be] based on more than 35 percent military specifications" and that the Navy secretary must detail to the committee "the differences in cost and construction schedules between a ship design based on military specifications and a design that uses commercial standards and elements." Weapons at sea The committee took particular interest in the development of a rearm-at-sea capability, which Navy Secretary Carlos Del Toro has called a top priority, though it has so far eluded the service. Sailors aboard the Arleigh Burke-class destroyer Spruance guide training ordnance into the ship's forward vertical launching system cells in San Diego, Calif., on Oct. 4, 2022. (MC3 Taylor Crenshaw/U.S. Navy) The committee also notes it is "concerned that the Navy's progress in developing this capability has been too slow and that the Navy's leadership focus and resource investment is not sufficient to meet the Navy's stated goals in this area. While the Navy has conducted demonstrations of certain steps in the process, significant challenges remain to be addressed before the Navy could effectively leverage this capability in a contested environment." It calls for a comptroller assessment of the Navy's current and future spending and technology development efforts, as well as alternative courses of action. The bill also calls for the comptroller to assess the Navy's plan to develop and field long-range fires. It asks the secretary to brief the committee on plans to develop a passive long-range targeting kill chain system of systems, and how it will use additive manufacturing — or 3D printing — at the ship and unit levels. Megan Eckstein Megan Eckstein is the naval warfare reporter at Defense News. She has covered military news since 2009, with a focus on U.S. Navy and Marine Corps operations, acquisition programs and budgets. She has reported from four geographic fleets and is happiest when she's filing stories from a ship. Megan is a University of Maryland alumna. More In Budget Space Force to demonstrate satellite maneuvering in 2026 mission Space Systems Command and SpaceWERX awarded Washington-based Starfish Space $37.5 million to build and operate a satellite for the mission. US departure from Niger 'already underway' ahead of September deadline The future of America's counter-terrorism work in the country had been in doubt for months after a coup last summer. Navy, Marine Corps pitched three systems for first Replicator batch An acquisition official said the Navy and Marine Corps brought three systems to Replicator, but declined to clarify whether all were selected. Space Force should consider alternative launch sites, lawmakers say The House Armed Services Committee's fiscal 2025 defense policy bill highlights capacity concerns at DOD's Eastern and Western launch ranges. Lawmakers propose DIU-managed military testing and evaluation cell

politics,military

House panel takes aim at Navy size, new capabilities in defense bill. A defense policy bill released this week by the House Armed Services Committee expresses concerns over the Navy's aging cruisers, the cost and capability of a planned amphibious ship, development of capability to rearm vessels at sea, and more. The language in the committee's fiscal 2025 National Defense Authorization Act represents a continuation of disagreements between lawmakers and the sea service. The panel in recent years has clashed with the Navy in regard to balancing readiness, fleet size and the creation of next-generation technology. Here are some of the issues House lawmakers take issue with. Fleet size As has been the case for years, the House Armed Services Committee is limiting how many Ticonderoga-class cruisers the Navy can retire. The service in its FY25 plan asked to retire four: USS Philippine Sea, USS Normandy, USS Shiloh and USS Lake Erie. The committee's version of the NDAA "would prohibit the retirement of the Guided Missile Cruisers USS Shiloh (CG 67) and USS Lake Erie (CG 70)", as well as prevent the Navy from retiring or laying up more than two other cruisers. The bill also calls for the Navy to buy a second Virginia-class submarine in FY25. This move sticks to the broader plan to buy two a year, but deviates from the Navy's FY25 request for one per year, which reportedly took committee members by surprise. More broadly, the committee takes issue with the Navy's latest annual long-range shipbuilding plan, its budget request, and inconsistencies on near-term fleet size from one year's plan to the next. "This section would require the Navy to be consistent in the first 10-year planning window of the annual 30-year Shipbuilding Report to Congress," the language reads. If a plan would reduce the total number of ships in the fleet in that first 10 years compared to the previous year's plan, the committee's language would require the Navy to submit an additional assessment to describe how that reduction would support the National Security Strategy, what resources it would free up, how much money the shipbuilding industrial base would lose out on, how this would affect shipbuilders and lower-tier suppliers, and what the reductions would mean for the ship classes in question. The Nimitz-class aircraft carriers Carl Vinson and Ronald Reagan sail in formation in the Philippine Sea on Nov. 6, 2023. (MC1 Ryre Arciaga/U.S. Navy) New ship programs The committee and other congressional panels have expressed skepticism of new ship programs following challenges with the Littoral Combat Ship and Zumwalt-class destroyer programs as well as the first-in-class aircraft carrier Gerald R. Ford. The House Armed Services Committee aims to exert additional oversight in its bill. The language asks for assurances from the Navy that, before construction begins, each new block of a ship will have its detail design completed, the Navy will obtain all information from its vendors about system maturity, and specifications will be finalized. Specific to the current and future destroyer programs, the NDAA states: "The committee remains concerned about the ability of the Navy's destroyers to meet future threats, especially as missile technology continues to advance." Noting the DDG(X) program for a next-generation destroyer will leverage both the Arleigh Burke and Zumwalt classes of destroyers, and that the Navy expects to spend more than $100 billion between 2019 and 2048 designing and building this class, the NDAA asks for: The Zumwalt-class guided-missile destroyer Michael Monsoor leads a formation of U.S. Navy vessels on April 21, 2021. (Chief MC Shannon Renfroe/U.S. Navy) The bill also calls for information on how the Navy will select the best propulsion system for the new ship. It notes two potential technologies — permanent magnet and high-temperature superconducting motors — and suggests the Navy develop both now to avoid a "late-stage failure in the selected motor technology [that] could significantly derail the lead ship's schedule." On the Landing Ship Medium program for the planned amphibious ship, the bill would prevent the Navy from spending any money to buy these ships until the service secretary certifies the ship design is predominantly based on commercial specifications. The Marine Corps wanted to begin buying these ships, previously called the light amphibious ship, in FY22. The program was delayed for budget reasons, but the Navy, Marine Corps and Office of the Secretary of Defense have spent the intervening years debating how to balance the desire to make these craft cheap and plentiful versus the desire to make them survivable during combat. The Corps' original vision was a commercial design that would blend in with local shipping and therefore create a level of safety for the Marines and sailors onboard, rather than having a military design that stands out from local boats but can take a hit and defend itself. The NDAA language specifies the design should "not [be] based on more than 35 percent military specifications" and that the Navy secretary must detail to the committee "the differences in cost and construction schedules between a ship design based on military specifications and a design that uses commercial standards and elements." Weapons at sea The committee took particular interest in the development of a rearm-at-sea capability, which Navy Secretary Carlos Del Toro has called a top priority, though it has so far eluded the service. Sailors aboard the Arleigh Burke-class destroyer Spruance guide training ordnance into the ship's forward vertical launching system cells in San Diego, Calif., on Oct. 4, 2022. (MC3 Taylor Crenshaw/U.S. Navy) The committee also notes it is "concerned that the Navy's progress in developing this capability has been too slow and that the Navy's leadership focus and resource investment is not sufficient to meet the Navy's stated goals in this area. While the Navy has conducted demonstrations of certain steps in the process, significant challenges remain to be addressed before the Navy could effectively leverage this capability in a contested environment." It calls for a comptroller assessment of the Navy's current and future spending and technology development efforts, as well as alternative courses of action. The bill also calls for the comptroller to assess the Navy's plan to develop and field long-range fires. It asks the secretary to brief the committee on plans to develop a passive long-range targeting kill chain system of systems, and how it will use additive manufacturing — or 3D printing — at the ship and unit levels. Megan Eckstein Megan Eckstein is the naval warfare reporter at Defense News. She has covered military news since 2009, with a focus on U.S. Navy and Marine Corps operations, acquisition programs and budgets. She has reported from four geographic fleets and is happiest when she's filing stories from a ship. Megan is a University of Maryland alumna. More In Budget Space Force to demonstrate satellite maneuvering in 2026 mission Space Systems Command and SpaceWERX awarded Washington-based Starfish Space $37.5 million to build and operate a satellite for the mission. US departure from Niger 'already underway' ahead of September deadline The future of America's counter-terrorism work in the country had been in doubt for months after a coup last summer. Navy, Marine Corps pitched three systems for first Replicator batch An acquisition official said the Navy and Marine Corps brought three systems to Replicator, but declined to clarify whether all were selected. Space Force should consider alternative launch sites, lawmakers say The House Armed Services Committee's fiscal 2025 defense policy bill highlights capacity concerns at DOD's Eastern and Western launch ranges. Lawmakers propose DIU-managed military testing and evaluation cell

EY Announces Cassandra Morales Thurswell of Kitsch as an Entrepreneur Of The Year® 2024 Greater Los Angeles Award Winner

EY Announces Cassandra Morales Thurswell of Kitsch as an Entrepreneur Of The Year® 2024 Greater Los Angeles Award Winner Cassandra was selected by an independent judging panel made up of previous award winners, leading CEOs and other business leaders. Candidates were evaluated based on their ability to create long-term value through entrepreneurial spirit, commitment to their purpose and the demonstration of growth and substantial impact, among other key indicators. "I am deeply honored to be recognized as an EY Entrepreneur Of The Year winner among so many visionary talents," said Casandra Morales Thurswell, Founder and CEO of Kitsch. "This triumph is a testament to the unwavering devotion and passion of our entire team, who strive every day to elevate beauty standards with innovative and sustainable products that are accessible to everyone, everywhere. We are committed to continuing our journey as a holistic and healthy haircare brand offering a complete suite of eye-catching, life-enhancing products that are good for our people and our planet. It's really satisfying to do what you love, see the impact you are making and be awarded in such a very special way." Kitsch is a global beauty powerhouse built on positivity and pure hard work. The brand supports its growing community with clever, easy beauty solutions that are totally reliable, truly special, and made through the lens of sustainability. Beginning in 2010 with a business plan no longer than a paragraph, Kitsch now supplies a full range of beauty favorites in over 20,000 retail locations worldwide. From hair accessories and bottle-free beauty to silk pillowcases and cutting-edge shower filters, Kitsch is continuously evolving everyday essentials, creating a new category of wellness in these stores—stay tuned for the "hair improvement" aisle! Entrepreneur Of The Year Award winners become lifetime members of a global, multi-industry community of entrepreneurs. They receive exclusive, ongoing access to the experience, insight and wisdom of program alumni and other ecosystem members in more than 60 countries — all supported by vast EY resources. As a Greater Los Angeles award winner, Cassandra is now eligible for consideration for the Entrepreneur Of The Year 2024 National Awards. Entrepreneur Of The Year recognizes many different types of business leaders for their ingenuity, courage and entrepreneurial spirit. The program celebrates original founders who bootstrapped their business from inception like Cassandra or who raised outside capital to grow their company; transformational CEOs who infused innovation into an existing organization to catapult its trajectory; and multigenerational family business leaders who reimagined a legacy business model to fortify it for the future.

business,lifestyle

EY Announces Cassandra Morales Thurswell of Kitsch as an Entrepreneur Of The Year® 2024 Greater Los Angeles Award Winner. EY Announces Cassandra Morales Thurswell of Kitsch as an Entrepreneur Of The Year® 2024 Greater Los Angeles Award Winner Cassandra was selected by an independent judging panel made up of previous award winners, leading CEOs and other business leaders. Candidates were evaluated based on their ability to create long-term value through entrepreneurial spirit, commitment to their purpose and the demonstration of growth and substantial impact, among other key indicators. "I am deeply honored to be recognized as an EY Entrepreneur Of The Year winner among so many visionary talents," said Casandra Morales Thurswell, Founder and CEO of Kitsch. "This triumph is a testament to the unwavering devotion and passion of our entire team, who strive every day to elevate beauty standards with innovative and sustainable products that are accessible to everyone, everywhere. We are committed to continuing our journey as a holistic and healthy haircare brand offering a complete suite of eye-catching, life-enhancing products that are good for our people and our planet. It's really satisfying to do what you love, see the impact you are making and be awarded in such a very special way." Kitsch is a global beauty powerhouse built on positivity and pure hard work. The brand supports its growing community with clever, easy beauty solutions that are totally reliable, truly special, and made through the lens of sustainability. Beginning in 2010 with a business plan no longer than a paragraph, Kitsch now supplies a full range of beauty favorites in over 20,000 retail locations worldwide. From hair accessories and bottle-free beauty to silk pillowcases and cutting-edge shower filters, Kitsch is continuously evolving everyday essentials, creating a new category of wellness in these stores—stay tuned for the "hair improvement" aisle! Entrepreneur Of The Year Award winners become lifetime members of a global, multi-industry community of entrepreneurs. They receive exclusive, ongoing access to the experience, insight and wisdom of program alumni and other ecosystem members in more than 60 countries — all supported by vast EY resources. As a Greater Los Angeles award winner, Cassandra is now eligible for consideration for the Entrepreneur Of The Year 2024 National Awards. Entrepreneur Of The Year recognizes many different types of business leaders for their ingenuity, courage and entrepreneurial spirit. The program celebrates original founders who bootstrapped their business from inception like Cassandra or who raised outside capital to grow their company; transformational CEOs who infused innovation into an existing organization to catapult its trajectory; and multigenerational family business leaders who reimagined a legacy business model to fortify it for the future.

Epson Tour LPGA Video Series Awarded Top Honors for Supporting Sports, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

Epson today announced its Epson Tour "Road to the LPGA" video series has been recognized with several prestigious awards and honors. Featuring the unscripted stories of LPGA Epson Tour Ambassadors during the 2023 season, the five part video series has been acknowledged by the 28 th Annual Digiday Awards and the Telly Awards. The Epson Tour provides women around the world the opportunity to pursue lifelong dreams and accomplish their goals of playing on the LPGA Tour. Every year, women from over 40 countries courageously overcome mental, physical and financial challenges to pursue their competitive dreams. Showcasing diversity from a variety of countries, regions and backgrounds, the "Road to the LPGA" video series brings global awareness to the Epson brand and its sponsorship initiatives with the LPGA through the voices of real players. "Our goal is to encourage women around the world to chase their dreams, and by sharing each player's unique story and perspective, this series highlights the value of investing in these athletes to develop and inspire the next generation of female leaders," said Kendra Jones, chief legal and sustainability officer, Epson America. "We are thrilled and incredibly honored to receive such wide-ranging recognition and acknowledgment for the content that helped to highlight the journeys of these incredibly committed and talented women." "Sports are an incredible vehicle for authentic storytelling, and these women are relentlessly fighting for their dreams all while their livelihoods hang in the balance. Their stories are raw and full of the physical, mental and financial adversity that can only be overcome by the immense courage and grit required to never give up on yourself," says Austin Chow, the series executive producer and director at The Unlisted Company. "We are truly humbled by the honors, and grateful to partner with thought-leaders like Epson who are growing the game of golf for women all over the world and inspiring the next generation." The industry's acknowledgments for the Epson Tour video initiative underscore the joint efforts of the LPGA and Epson America to support and celebrate women in the spirit of competition: 28 th Annual Webby Awards – Setting the standard for innovation and creativity on the Internet, the series was an honoree for "Sports: Video Series and Diversity, Equity and Inclusion: Video Series." Hailed as the "Internet's highest honor" by The New York Times, The Webby Awards, presented by the International Academy of Digital Arts and Sciences (IADAS), is the leading international awards organization honoring excellence on the Internet. Digiday Video & TV and Content Marketing Awards – The series was recognized for seven honors including 1 st place for "Best Multi-Platform Video Campaign" and "Best Branded Content Series (B2B)," as well as finalist recognition for "Best Brand Film – Series," "Best Original Programming," "Best Social Video Campaign," "Short Form Video of the Year," and "Best Use of Long Form Video." The Digiday Awards annually recognize companies, campaigns and creatives who are modernizing media and marketing. 54 th Annual Telly Awards – The series was recognized for 17 total categories including Gold placements for "Non-Broadcast Series: Social Media," "Non-Broadcast Series: Social Responsibility," "Non-Broadcast Series: Short Form Documentary (Under 40 Minutes)," "Non-Broadcast Series: Sports, Online: Motivational." The Telly Awards annually showcases the best work created within television and across video, for all screens. This was a record-breaking year for the awards, with nearly 13,000 entries from across the globe and top video and television content producers. About the Epson Tour The Epson Tour is the official qualifying tour of the LPGA Tour and enters its 44 th competitive season in 2024. With the support of entitlement partner Seiko Epson Corporation, the Tour's mission is to prepare the world's best female professional golfers for a successful career on the LPGA Tour. In the last decade, the Epson Tour has grown from 15 tournaments and $1.6 million in prize money to over $5 million awarded across 20+ events in 2024. With more than 600 graduates and alumnae moving on to the LPGA Tour, former Epson Tour players have won 480 LPGA titles. Follow the Epson Tour at About Epson Epson is a global technology leader whose philosophy of efficient, compact and precise innovation enriches lives and helps create a better world. The company is focused on solving societal issues through innovations in home and office printing, commercial and industrial printing, manufacturing, visual and lifestyle. Epson's goal is to become carbon negative and eliminate use of exhaustible underground resources such as oil and metal by 2050. Japan -based Seiko Epson Corporation, the worldwide Epson Group generates annual sales of more than

sports

Epson Tour LPGA Video Series Awarded Top Honors for Supporting Sports, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. Epson today announced its Epson Tour "Road to the LPGA" video series has been recognized with several prestigious awards and honors. Featuring the unscripted stories of LPGA Epson Tour Ambassadors during the 2023 season, the five part video series has been acknowledged by the 28 th Annual Digiday Awards and the Telly Awards. The Epson Tour provides women around the world the opportunity to pursue lifelong dreams and accomplish their goals of playing on the LPGA Tour. Every year, women from over 40 countries courageously overcome mental, physical and financial challenges to pursue their competitive dreams. Showcasing diversity from a variety of countries, regions and backgrounds, the "Road to the LPGA" video series brings global awareness to the Epson brand and its sponsorship initiatives with the LPGA through the voices of real players. "Our goal is to encourage women around the world to chase their dreams, and by sharing each player's unique story and perspective, this series highlights the value of investing in these athletes to develop and inspire the next generation of female leaders," said Kendra Jones, chief legal and sustainability officer, Epson America. "We are thrilled and incredibly honored to receive such wide-ranging recognition and acknowledgment for the content that helped to highlight the journeys of these incredibly committed and talented women." "Sports are an incredible vehicle for authentic storytelling, and these women are relentlessly fighting for their dreams all while their livelihoods hang in the balance. Their stories are raw and full of the physical, mental and financial adversity that can only be overcome by the immense courage and grit required to never give up on yourself," says Austin Chow, the series executive producer and director at The Unlisted Company. "We are truly humbled by the honors, and grateful to partner with thought-leaders like Epson who are growing the game of golf for women all over the world and inspiring the next generation." The industry's acknowledgments for the Epson Tour video initiative underscore the joint efforts of the LPGA and Epson America to support and celebrate women in the spirit of competition: 28 th Annual Webby Awards – Setting the standard for innovation and creativity on the Internet, the series was an honoree for "Sports: Video Series and Diversity, Equity and Inclusion: Video Series." Hailed as the "Internet's highest honor" by The New York Times, The Webby Awards, presented by the International Academy of Digital Arts and Sciences (IADAS), is the leading international awards organization honoring excellence on the Internet. Digiday Video & TV and Content Marketing Awards – The series was recognized for seven honors including 1 st place for "Best Multi-Platform Video Campaign" and "Best Branded Content Series (B2B)," as well as finalist recognition for "Best Brand Film – Series," "Best Original Programming," "Best Social Video Campaign," "Short Form Video of the Year," and "Best Use of Long Form Video." The Digiday Awards annually recognize companies, campaigns and creatives who are modernizing media and marketing. 54 th Annual Telly Awards – The series was recognized for 17 total categories including Gold placements for "Non-Broadcast Series: Social Media," "Non-Broadcast Series: Social Responsibility," "Non-Broadcast Series: Short Form Documentary (Under 40 Minutes)," "Non-Broadcast Series: Sports, Online: Motivational." The Telly Awards annually showcases the best work created within television and across video, for all screens. This was a record-breaking year for the awards, with nearly 13,000 entries from across the globe and top video and television content producers. About the Epson Tour The Epson Tour is the official qualifying tour of the LPGA Tour and enters its 44 th competitive season in 2024. With the support of entitlement partner Seiko Epson Corporation, the Tour's mission is to prepare the world's best female professional golfers for a successful career on the LPGA Tour. In the last decade, the Epson Tour has grown from 15 tournaments and $1.6 million in prize money to over $5 million awarded across 20+ events in 2024. With more than 600 graduates and alumnae moving on to the LPGA Tour, former Epson Tour players have won 480 LPGA titles. Follow the Epson Tour at About Epson Epson is a global technology leader whose philosophy of efficient, compact and precise innovation enriches lives and helps create a better world. The company is focused on solving societal issues through innovations in home and office printing, commercial and industrial printing, manufacturing, visual and lifestyle. Epson's goal is to become carbon negative and eliminate use of exhaustible underground resources such as oil and metal by 2050. Japan -based Seiko Epson Corporation, the worldwide Epson Group generates annual sales of more than

Indiana Gov. Holcomb greenlights bills addressing child care, tenure reform and more

Fox News Flash top headlines are here. Check out what's clicking on Foxnews.com. Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb has signed a bipartisan bill to support child care in the state on top of 74 other measures, according to his office. The signings on Wednesday included several contested proposals, such as an overhaul of faculty tenure at state colleges and universities, the repeal of a state statute letting Ukrainian refugees get driver's licenses and broader gun rights for some state officials at the Capitol in Indianapolis. Addressing the affordability of child care was a priority for both Republican and Democratic leaders this year, but lawmakers were limited in their action due to the nonbudget cycle. Indiana creates a biannual budget during odd numbered years. INDIANA GOV. HOLCOMB SIGNS ELEMENTARY LITERACY BILL INTO LAW Holcomb signed the state Senate agenda bill on Wednesday, expanding eligibility for a child care subsidy program for employees in the field with children of their own. The legislation also lowers the minimum age of child care workers to 18 and, in some instances, to 16. The governor also put his signature to a Republican-backed bill that undoes some regulations on child care facilities. The legislation would make a facility license good for three years, up from two, and allow certain child care programs in schools to be exempt from licensure. It also would let child care centers in residential homes increase their hours and serve up to eight children, instead of six. Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb speaks with reporters at the Indiana Statehouse on April 4, 2023, in Indianapolis. Gov. Holcomb has signed a bipartisan bill to support child care in the state on top of 74 other measures, according to his office. The signings on Wednesday. March 13, 2024 included several contested proposals, such as an overhaul of faculty tenure at state colleges and universities, the repeal of a state statute letting Ukrainian refugees get driver's licenses and broader gun rights for some state officials at the Capitol in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Tom Davies, File) Republicans have said undoing regulations eases the burden of opening and operating facilities. Many Democrats vehemently opposed the measure, saying it endangers children. Holcomb signed another closely watched bill dealing with higher education on Wednesday, creating new regulations on tenure for faculty at public colleges and universities. Tenured professors will be reviewed every five years and schools must create a policy preventing faculty from gaining tenure or promotions if they are "unlikely to foster a culture of free inquiry, free expression and intellectual diversity within the institution." Backers argued it will address a hostile academic environment for conservative students and professors. "Universities that fail to foster intellectually diverse communities that challenge both teachers and learners fail to reach their potential," the bill's author, state Sen. Spencer Deery, said in a statement Wednesday. "This measured bill makes it significantly less likely that any university will shortchange our students in that way." Opponents said it will make it harder for Indiana schools to compete with other states for talent. "This is a dark day for higher education in Indiana," Moira Marsh, president of the Indiana State Conference of the American Association of University Professors, said in a statement Thursday. Holcomb also put his signature to a bill allowing certain statewide officials to carry guns in the statehouse and to legislation that repeals a law allowing Ukrainian refugees to obtain driver's licenses. The repeal jeopardizes a discrimination lawsuit against the state brought by a group of Haitian immigrants in the same immigration class. The second term Republican governor has signed 166 bills this year, his last in office under state term limits. Once bills reach the governor's desk, he has seven days to either sign or veto them. If no action is taken, the bill automatically becomes law.

politics

Indiana Gov. Holcomb greenlights bills addressing child care, tenure reform and more. Fox News Flash top headlines are here. Check out what's clicking on Foxnews.com. Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb has signed a bipartisan bill to support child care in the state on top of 74 other measures, according to his office. The signings on Wednesday included several contested proposals, such as an overhaul of faculty tenure at state colleges and universities, the repeal of a state statute letting Ukrainian refugees get driver's licenses and broader gun rights for some state officials at the Capitol in Indianapolis. Addressing the affordability of child care was a priority for both Republican and Democratic leaders this year, but lawmakers were limited in their action due to the nonbudget cycle. Indiana creates a biannual budget during odd numbered years. INDIANA GOV. HOLCOMB SIGNS ELEMENTARY LITERACY BILL INTO LAW Holcomb signed the state Senate agenda bill on Wednesday, expanding eligibility for a child care subsidy program for employees in the field with children of their own. The legislation also lowers the minimum age of child care workers to 18 and, in some instances, to 16. The governor also put his signature to a Republican-backed bill that undoes some regulations on child care facilities. The legislation would make a facility license good for three years, up from two, and allow certain child care programs in schools to be exempt from licensure. It also would let child care centers in residential homes increase their hours and serve up to eight children, instead of six. Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb speaks with reporters at the Indiana Statehouse on April 4, 2023, in Indianapolis. Gov. Holcomb has signed a bipartisan bill to support child care in the state on top of 74 other measures, according to his office. The signings on Wednesday. March 13, 2024 included several contested proposals, such as an overhaul of faculty tenure at state colleges and universities, the repeal of a state statute letting Ukrainian refugees get driver's licenses and broader gun rights for some state officials at the Capitol in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Tom Davies, File) Republicans have said undoing regulations eases the burden of opening and operating facilities. Many Democrats vehemently opposed the measure, saying it endangers children. Holcomb signed another closely watched bill dealing with higher education on Wednesday, creating new regulations on tenure for faculty at public colleges and universities. Tenured professors will be reviewed every five years and schools must create a policy preventing faculty from gaining tenure or promotions if they are "unlikely to foster a culture of free inquiry, free expression and intellectual diversity within the institution." Backers argued it will address a hostile academic environment for conservative students and professors. "Universities that fail to foster intellectually diverse communities that challenge both teachers and learners fail to reach their potential," the bill's author, state Sen. Spencer Deery, said in a statement Wednesday. "This measured bill makes it significantly less likely that any university will shortchange our students in that way." Opponents said it will make it harder for Indiana schools to compete with other states for talent. "This is a dark day for higher education in Indiana," Moira Marsh, president of the Indiana State Conference of the American Association of University Professors, said in a statement Thursday. Holcomb also put his signature to a bill allowing certain statewide officials to carry guns in the statehouse and to legislation that repeals a law allowing Ukrainian refugees to obtain driver's licenses. The repeal jeopardizes a discrimination lawsuit against the state brought by a group of Haitian immigrants in the same immigration class. The second term Republican governor has signed 166 bills this year, his last in office under state term limits. Once bills reach the governor's desk, he has seven days to either sign or veto them. If no action is taken, the bill automatically becomes law.

Tarmo Peltokoski, 24-year-old Finnish conductor, to become Hong Kong Philharmonic music director

This image released by the Hong Kong Philharmonic shows Tarmo Peltokoski, who was hired Thursday to succeed Jaap van Zweden as music director of the Hong Kong Philharmonic. (Keith Hiro/Hong Kong Philharmonic via AP) music director of the Hong Kong Philharmonic. Peltokoski, at 24 far younger than most music directors, will start a four-year term in the 2026-27 season after serving as music director designate in 2025-26, the philharmonic said. "I was just extremely impressed by the orchestra right away," Peltokoski said. "Absolutely one of the best orchestras in Asia, for sure. So when the offer came, it was an easy yes for me." Peltokoski grew up in Finland and studied at the Sibelius Academy in Helsinki with Jorma Panula, a famed 93-year-old conductor, composer and teacher whose students have included Esa-Pekka Salonen, Susanna Mälkki, Osmo Vänskä and Klaus Mäkelä. "He wants to give the chance to young people, already established instrumentalists, to have the chance to conduct, which doesn't really happen in other countries," Peltokoski said. "So I'm extremely thankful for that. And secondly, he sees the potential and really nourishes those talents that he thinks are worth his time. And then thirdly, he wants people to be individuals and doesn't force anything on anyone, so he really wants to keep every student's strong personality there and make them even stronger." Just 28, Mäkelä was hired in April to succeed Riccardo Muti as music director of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra starting in 2027-28. Peltokoski's hiring marks a generational change in Hong Kong. Van Zweden became music director in the 2012-13 season and the 63-year-old conducted his farewell concert on June 26. Peltokoski made his debut with the Hong Kong orchestra in June 2023 leading Sibelius' "Finlandia," Tchaikovsky's Violin Concerto and Shostakovich's 10th Symphony. "It was not like a conductor/orchestra relationship. It was: We do music together," chief executive Benedikt Fohr said. "He's young but already has this intense experience on working on repertoire and a clear focus where he wanted to go in that week but also when you talk to him, where he wants to be in 10 years." Peltokoski started piano studies at 8 and decided he wanted to become a conductor after seeing clips of the Daniel Barenboim conducting the Wagner's "Der Ring des Nibelungen" at the 1988 Bayreuth Festival on YouTube. He asked his parents to buy him the DVD. Peltokoski, who lives in Helsinki, has been music director of the Latvian National Symphony Orchestra since 2022-23, an appointment that runs through the 2024-25 season. He becomes music director of France's Orchestre National du Capitole de Toulouse in 2025-26. Deutsche Grammophon signed him to an exclusive recording contract in October. He conducted Wagner's Ring for the first time at age 22 at the Finland's Eurajoki Bel Canto Festival in August 2022. "My career starts in a very symphonic manner but long-term my plan is to move more in the opera direction," he said. Founded in 1947 as the Sino-British Orchestra, the ensemble was renamed the Hong Kong Philharmonic in 1957 and became fully professional in 1974. It presents about 150 concerts over a 44-week season. Peltokoski is to guest conduct the orchestra on Friday and Saturday in Prokofiev's Second Piano Concerto and Mahler's Fifth Symphony and then open the 2024-25 season on Sept. 5 at the 1,971-seat Hong Kong Cultural Centre Concert Hall. Fohr described Peltokoski as insistent as van Zweden but with a different method. "The musicians feel he gives them a lot more freedom to achieve the common goal," Fohr said, "where Jaap expects from everybody to be 100% following his speed and his instructions."

entertainment

Tarmo Peltokoski, 24-year-old Finnish conductor, to become Hong Kong Philharmonic music director. This image released by the Hong Kong Philharmonic shows Tarmo Peltokoski, who was hired Thursday to succeed Jaap van Zweden as music director of the Hong Kong Philharmonic. (Keith Hiro/Hong Kong Philharmonic via AP) music director of the Hong Kong Philharmonic. Peltokoski, at 24 far younger than most music directors, will start a four-year term in the 2026-27 season after serving as music director designate in 2025-26, the philharmonic said. "I was just extremely impressed by the orchestra right away," Peltokoski said. "Absolutely one of the best orchestras in Asia, for sure. So when the offer came, it was an easy yes for me." Peltokoski grew up in Finland and studied at the Sibelius Academy in Helsinki with Jorma Panula, a famed 93-year-old conductor, composer and teacher whose students have included Esa-Pekka Salonen, Susanna Mälkki, Osmo Vänskä and Klaus Mäkelä. "He wants to give the chance to young people, already established instrumentalists, to have the chance to conduct, which doesn't really happen in other countries," Peltokoski said. "So I'm extremely thankful for that. And secondly, he sees the potential and really nourishes those talents that he thinks are worth his time. And then thirdly, he wants people to be individuals and doesn't force anything on anyone, so he really wants to keep every student's strong personality there and make them even stronger." Just 28, Mäkelä was hired in April to succeed Riccardo Muti as music director of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra starting in 2027-28. Peltokoski's hiring marks a generational change in Hong Kong. Van Zweden became music director in the 2012-13 season and the 63-year-old conducted his farewell concert on June 26. Peltokoski made his debut with the Hong Kong orchestra in June 2023 leading Sibelius' "Finlandia," Tchaikovsky's Violin Concerto and Shostakovich's 10th Symphony. "It was not like a conductor/orchestra relationship. It was: We do music together," chief executive Benedikt Fohr said. "He's young but already has this intense experience on working on repertoire and a clear focus where he wanted to go in that week but also when you talk to him, where he wants to be in 10 years." Peltokoski started piano studies at 8 and decided he wanted to become a conductor after seeing clips of the Daniel Barenboim conducting the Wagner's "Der Ring des Nibelungen" at the 1988 Bayreuth Festival on YouTube. He asked his parents to buy him the DVD. Peltokoski, who lives in Helsinki, has been music director of the Latvian National Symphony Orchestra since 2022-23, an appointment that runs through the 2024-25 season. He becomes music director of France's Orchestre National du Capitole de Toulouse in 2025-26. Deutsche Grammophon signed him to an exclusive recording contract in October. He conducted Wagner's Ring for the first time at age 22 at the Finland's Eurajoki Bel Canto Festival in August 2022. "My career starts in a very symphonic manner but long-term my plan is to move more in the opera direction," he said. Founded in 1947 as the Sino-British Orchestra, the ensemble was renamed the Hong Kong Philharmonic in 1957 and became fully professional in 1974. It presents about 150 concerts over a 44-week season. Peltokoski is to guest conduct the orchestra on Friday and Saturday in Prokofiev's Second Piano Concerto and Mahler's Fifth Symphony and then open the 2024-25 season on Sept. 5 at the 1,971-seat Hong Kong Cultural Centre Concert Hall. Fohr described Peltokoski as insistent as van Zweden but with a different method. "The musicians feel he gives them a lot more freedom to achieve the common goal," Fohr said, "where Jaap expects from everybody to be 100% following his speed and his instructions."

Vincent Kompany named new Bayern Munich head coach on three-year deal

Vincent Kompany as their new head coach after agreeing a compensation package of about £10m with Burnley. Kompany has signed a three-year contract with Bayern, who made a surprise move for him having failed to persuade Thomas Tuchel to remain at the end of the season. Xabi Alonso, their former coach Julian Nagelsmann and Austria's coach Ralf Rangnick had turned down the post. Barcelona appoint Hansi Flick and agree €1m bonus for Champions League win Kompany has experience of the Bundesliga from his playing days at Hamburg and is fluent in German, although his appointment represents a bold move after Burnley's relegation from the Premier League. Kompany enjoyed an outstanding first season at Turf Moor, winning the Championship with 101 points, but oversaw a poor Premier League campaign that brought only five wins. "It's a great honour to be able to work for this club," said Kompany. "FC Bayern is an institution in international football. As a coach, you have to stand for who you are as a person: I love having the ball, being creative and we also have to be aggressive on the pitch and courageous. I'm now looking forward to the most basic things: working with the players, building a team. When the foundation is in place, success will follow." Bayern's sporting director, Christoph Freund, said: "Vincent Kompany is a type of coach who fits in very well with FC Bayern's playing philosophy and identity: his teams want the ball, want to play dominant and high-intensity football. He is a young, very ambitious coach who brings a lot of international experience, has his finger on the pulse of the players and knows exactly what should happen on the pitch. He can and will give our team an enormous amount." Burnley's search for a replacement to lead them back into the Premier League is under way. In a statement confirming Kompany's departure, the club said: "Whilst we were initially confident in retaining our manager, the changing dynamics of the situation made this impossible. We understand the allure and prestige of a club like Bayern Munich and respect Vincent's ambition to explore new opportunities. We have started the search for a new manager and will make an announcement in due course."

sports

Vincent Kompany named new Bayern Munich head coach on three-year deal. Vincent Kompany as their new head coach after agreeing a compensation package of about £10m with Burnley. Kompany has signed a three-year contract with Bayern, who made a surprise move for him having failed to persuade Thomas Tuchel to remain at the end of the season. Xabi Alonso, their former coach Julian Nagelsmann and Austria's coach Ralf Rangnick had turned down the post. Barcelona appoint Hansi Flick and agree €1m bonus for Champions League win Kompany has experience of the Bundesliga from his playing days at Hamburg and is fluent in German, although his appointment represents a bold move after Burnley's relegation from the Premier League. Kompany enjoyed an outstanding first season at Turf Moor, winning the Championship with 101 points, but oversaw a poor Premier League campaign that brought only five wins. "It's a great honour to be able to work for this club," said Kompany. "FC Bayern is an institution in international football. As a coach, you have to stand for who you are as a person: I love having the ball, being creative and we also have to be aggressive on the pitch and courageous. I'm now looking forward to the most basic things: working with the players, building a team. When the foundation is in place, success will follow." Bayern's sporting director, Christoph Freund, said: "Vincent Kompany is a type of coach who fits in very well with FC Bayern's playing philosophy and identity: his teams want the ball, want to play dominant and high-intensity football. He is a young, very ambitious coach who brings a lot of international experience, has his finger on the pulse of the players and knows exactly what should happen on the pitch. He can and will give our team an enormous amount." Burnley's search for a replacement to lead them back into the Premier League is under way. In a statement confirming Kompany's departure, the club said: "Whilst we were initially confident in retaining our manager, the changing dynamics of the situation made this impossible. We understand the allure and prestige of a club like Bayern Munich and respect Vincent's ambition to explore new opportunities. We have started the search for a new manager and will make an announcement in due course."

'It felt like children were droids at toxic school'

It promises to "inspire beyond measure", but some teachers at one academy trust say fear and toxicity run through their schools. Astrea Academy Trust is responsible for some 15,000 pupils, including nearly 5,000 in Cambridgeshire. But how are the trust's controversial behaviour policies having an impact on the children and the teachers who must implement them? Astrea runs 26 state-funded schools, four of which are secondary schools in Cambridgeshire - Cottenham Village College, St Ivo in St Ives, and both Ernulf and Longsands in St Neots. Kate, not her real name, says she became a teacher to inspire her pupils, but left Ernulf fearing the repercussions of straying from their strict rules - policies the trust says were introduced to address poor student behaviour post-Covid. "It's just basically: be in line, be silent and just get through your day. Do as you're told," she says. Kate says teachers fear straying from the strict behaviour policies laid out by the trust Parents report struggling to get their children to school on account of the stringent rules, with some developing tics that have not been seen since early childhood. Hundreds of corrections for "negative virtues" are handed out each week, which amount to half-hour or hour-long after-school detentions. Some children check their pencil cases multiple times before leaving the house for fear of packing the wrong-coloured pen, before arriving at school to queue for uniform checks, parents say. Kate worries the atmosphere in these schools will produce a generation of fearful, anxiety-stricken children with severe communication issues. "We are not teaching them, we're not adapting to them, we're not supporting them," she adds. "We have to give detention because that's the culture we follow… it's either you or me." Andrew, not his real name, marks the contrast between the smiling children at his new school and the pupils he used to teach at Longsands. "The students seem to have their heads down. It was quiet. Their faces were just without any kind of expression. It felt like they were droids," he says. Describing the pre-Astrea days, he says Longsands was a "very human" school with a good reputation in the Another teacher who left Longsands late last year said staff morale has taken a nosedive in the last 12 months. "It felt quite unpredictable and unstable… teachers can't do their best work if they are in an environment where they feel stretched, exhausted, pressured and fearful," she says. Laura, also not her real name, said many staff members do not feel as if they are listened to by senior leaders within the trust. A growing number of parents have expressed concern for the future of children at the trust's schools, with a petition to establish a non-Astrea secondary school in St Neots garnering more than 1,000 signatures. St Ivo Parents Forum, has worries but says their group does not wish to "take the school down," rather choosing to focus on "positive change and reflection". Of 745 Longsands parents who responded to the February 2024 Ofsted survey: 70% said their child was unhappy at school 51% did not feel their child was safe there 64% thought Astrea did not deal with concerns properly The trust says it is "disappointed" in the results and is working to engage with parents and carers. It adds that its policies are "easy-to-follow and reasonable" and staff are supported to use their professional judgements to make reasonable adjustments. The trust says it wants a "calm, purposeful and safe environment," adding that in the "vast majority" of their classrooms, that is now the case. Longsands Academy was rated as "requires improvement" by Ofsted in 2019. It was inspected

lifestyle

'It felt like children were droids at toxic school'. It promises to "inspire beyond measure", but some teachers at one academy trust say fear and toxicity run through their schools. Astrea Academy Trust is responsible for some 15,000 pupils, including nearly 5,000 in Cambridgeshire. But how are the trust's controversial behaviour policies having an impact on the children and the teachers who must implement them? Astrea runs 26 state-funded schools, four of which are secondary schools in Cambridgeshire - Cottenham Village College, St Ivo in St Ives, and both Ernulf and Longsands in St Neots. Kate, not her real name, says she became a teacher to inspire her pupils, but left Ernulf fearing the repercussions of straying from their strict rules - policies the trust says were introduced to address poor student behaviour post-Covid. "It's just basically: be in line, be silent and just get through your day. Do as you're told," she says. Kate says teachers fear straying from the strict behaviour policies laid out by the trust Parents report struggling to get their children to school on account of the stringent rules, with some developing tics that have not been seen since early childhood. Hundreds of corrections for "negative virtues" are handed out each week, which amount to half-hour or hour-long after-school detentions. Some children check their pencil cases multiple times before leaving the house for fear of packing the wrong-coloured pen, before arriving at school to queue for uniform checks, parents say. Kate worries the atmosphere in these schools will produce a generation of fearful, anxiety-stricken children with severe communication issues. "We are not teaching them, we're not adapting to them, we're not supporting them," she adds. "We have to give detention because that's the culture we follow… it's either you or me." Andrew, not his real name, marks the contrast between the smiling children at his new school and the pupils he used to teach at Longsands. "The students seem to have their heads down. It was quiet. Their faces were just without any kind of expression. It felt like they were droids," he says. Describing the pre-Astrea days, he says Longsands was a "very human" school with a good reputation in the Another teacher who left Longsands late last year said staff morale has taken a nosedive in the last 12 months. "It felt quite unpredictable and unstable… teachers can't do their best work if they are in an environment where they feel stretched, exhausted, pressured and fearful," she says. Laura, also not her real name, said many staff members do not feel as if they are listened to by senior leaders within the trust. A growing number of parents have expressed concern for the future of children at the trust's schools, with a petition to establish a non-Astrea secondary school in St Neots garnering more than 1,000 signatures. St Ivo Parents Forum, has worries but says their group does not wish to "take the school down," rather choosing to focus on "positive change and reflection". Of 745 Longsands parents who responded to the February 2024 Ofsted survey: 70% said their child was unhappy at school 51% did not feel their child was safe there 64% thought Astrea did not deal with concerns properly The trust says it is "disappointed" in the results and is working to engage with parents and carers. It adds that its policies are "easy-to-follow and reasonable" and staff are supported to use their professional judgements to make reasonable adjustments. The trust says it wants a "calm, purposeful and safe environment," adding that in the "vast majority" of their classrooms, that is now the case. Longsands Academy was rated as "requires improvement" by Ofsted in 2019. It was inspected

Ship in deadly Baltimore bridge collapse leaves three months after disaster

Six construction workers died after the vessel lost power, veered off course and collided with a supporting column of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in March. A cargo ship that crashed into a US bridge and caused it to collapse - killing six people - has left Baltimore after undergoing repairs. The Dali sailed out of the city on Monday morning, local time, heading for Virginia, nearly three months after The vessel was refloated and guided back to port in May after spending two months stuck in the wreckage with a massive steel truss draped across its damaged bow. A National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigation found the ship experienced two power outages in the hours before it left the Port of Baltimore. Timeline of Baltimore bridge collapse It lost power again and veered off course before crashing into the bridge. The NTSB is still investigating what caused the electrical failures while The ship's crew, who had been forced to stay in the country afterwards, have been allowed to leave, provided they were available to give evidence, thanks to an agreement confirmed by a federal judge. Earlier on Monday, four tugboats helped the 984ft (300m) craft get moving shortly before 8.30am. The Dali is scheduled to go directly to Virginia International Gateway where around 1,500 cargo containers will be offloaded to reduce draft, the US Coast Guard said in a statement. From there, the vessel is scheduled to sail for Virginia's Norfolk International Terminal for further salvage and repairs from damage caused during the bridge collapse. The Dali was sailing under its own power with a full crew of 22 and six salvage experts, according to the coast guard, which is overseeing the voyage and providing a 500-yard (457m) safety zone around it.

usa

Ship in deadly Baltimore bridge collapse leaves three months after disaster. Six construction workers died after the vessel lost power, veered off course and collided with a supporting column of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in March. A cargo ship that crashed into a US bridge and caused it to collapse - killing six people - has left Baltimore after undergoing repairs. The Dali sailed out of the city on Monday morning, local time, heading for Virginia, nearly three months after The vessel was refloated and guided back to port in May after spending two months stuck in the wreckage with a massive steel truss draped across its damaged bow. A National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigation found the ship experienced two power outages in the hours before it left the Port of Baltimore. Timeline of Baltimore bridge collapse It lost power again and veered off course before crashing into the bridge. The NTSB is still investigating what caused the electrical failures while The ship's crew, who had been forced to stay in the country afterwards, have been allowed to leave, provided they were available to give evidence, thanks to an agreement confirmed by a federal judge. Earlier on Monday, four tugboats helped the 984ft (300m) craft get moving shortly before 8.30am. The Dali is scheduled to go directly to Virginia International Gateway where around 1,500 cargo containers will be offloaded to reduce draft, the US Coast Guard said in a statement. From there, the vessel is scheduled to sail for Virginia's Norfolk International Terminal for further salvage and repairs from damage caused during the bridge collapse. The Dali was sailing under its own power with a full crew of 22 and six salvage experts, according to the coast guard, which is overseeing the voyage and providing a 500-yard (457m) safety zone around it.

Boissonnault cleared in preliminary ethics probe of his business dealings

Boissonnault cleared in preliminary ethics probe of his business dealings Canada's ethics commissioner will not be investigating claims that Employment Minister Randy Boissonnault broke conflict of interest rules and a preliminary probe turned up no evidence the minister acted improperly, according to a letter obtained by CBC News. In a letter, the ethics commissioner said he has 'no concerns' that Randy Boissonnault broke the law Social Sharing Canada's ethics commissioner will not be investigating claims that Employment Minister Randy Boissonnault broke conflict of interest rules and a preliminary probe turned up no evidence the minister acted improperly, according to a letter obtained by CBC News. "I no longer have concerns that you may have contravened your obligations under the Act and will take no further action at this time," says the June 25 letter from Ethics Commissioner Konrad von Finckenstein to Boissonnault. Boissonnault faced questions after Global News published September 2022 text messages between the employment minister's former business partner at Global Health Imports (GHI), Stephen Anderson, and Malvina Ghaoui, the principal of the U.S.-based company The Ghaoui Group. Boissonnault co-founded the PPE company GHI and currently holds shares in GHI through his holding company. Cabinet ministers are not allowed to engage in managing or operating a business or commercial activity. The texts referred to the involvement of someone named "Randy" in a discussion about a wire transfer of roughly $500,000 to secure a large shipment of nitrile gloves. Conservatives call for 'other Randy' to testify as minister's business dealings face ethics probe That led to near-daily questioning from the Conservatives about the identity of the "other Randy" — and whether Boissonnault had broken the law by being involved in the daily operations of the company more than ten months after being sworn in to cabinet. Boissonnault denied the allegations, telling the House of Commons in June that he has "had no role in this company since being elected in 2021." He also told the ethics committee that he didn't know the last name of the other Randy. "That person is not me," he said. 'No evidence' to support allegations, commissioner says But the letter from the commissioner says that Boissonnault submitted call logs and texts from three of his personal devices for the day in question — September 8, 2022 — and the information provided supported Boissonnault's statement that he did not have any correspondence with Anderson. "Other than the name 'Randy' being used in text messages from Mr. Anderson to Malvina Ghaoui, messages which according to the published excerpts were neither addressed nor copied to you, I do not have any information before me to support the allegation that you were involved in managing or operating GHI on September 8, 2022," said the letter from von Finckenstein. The letter also said that Boissonnault confirmed with the ethics commissioner that he stopped working with GHI when he was elected in 2021, and provided documentation indicating that his resignation as director was noted in the company's corporate minutes in October 2021. The Conservative opposition had been calling for the identity of the "other Randy" to be made public, but the person's last name has never been released. Michael Barrett, the Conservative Party's ethics critic, said the party's MPs won't drop their inquiries just because the ethics commissioner has decided not pursue a further investigation. "After nine years of this scandal-plagued government under Justin Trudeau, who has twice been personally found guilty of breaking ethics laws, it's clear that they're not worth the corruption or the coverups. The ethics commissioner's decision not to investigate does not exonerate Minister Boissonnault so long as important questions remain unanswered," Barrett said. Barrett said Boissonnault and his former business partner should have been more forthcoming with a Commons committee that wants to probe this matter further. "The refusal by the co-owner to release phone records and documents to a parliamentary committee has only further raised suspicions," he said. "The Liberals could clear the air, but they are instead using every tool to hide the truth. They blocked the other 'Randy' from testifying and refuse to answer simple questions, including the identity of who the elusive other Randy is." Publicly available records don't list anyone named "Randy" as having worked for GHI, other than Boissonnault.

politics

Boissonnault cleared in preliminary ethics probe of his business dealings. Boissonnault cleared in preliminary ethics probe of his business dealings Canada's ethics commissioner will not be investigating claims that Employment Minister Randy Boissonnault broke conflict of interest rules and a preliminary probe turned up no evidence the minister acted improperly, according to a letter obtained by CBC News. In a letter, the ethics commissioner said he has 'no concerns' that Randy Boissonnault broke the law Social Sharing Canada's ethics commissioner will not be investigating claims that Employment Minister Randy Boissonnault broke conflict of interest rules and a preliminary probe turned up no evidence the minister acted improperly, according to a letter obtained by CBC News. "I no longer have concerns that you may have contravened your obligations under the Act and will take no further action at this time," says the June 25 letter from Ethics Commissioner Konrad von Finckenstein to Boissonnault. Boissonnault faced questions after Global News published September 2022 text messages between the employment minister's former business partner at Global Health Imports (GHI), Stephen Anderson, and Malvina Ghaoui, the principal of the U.S.-based company The Ghaoui Group. Boissonnault co-founded the PPE company GHI and currently holds shares in GHI through his holding company. Cabinet ministers are not allowed to engage in managing or operating a business or commercial activity. The texts referred to the involvement of someone named "Randy" in a discussion about a wire transfer of roughly $500,000 to secure a large shipment of nitrile gloves. Conservatives call for 'other Randy' to testify as minister's business dealings face ethics probe That led to near-daily questioning from the Conservatives about the identity of the "other Randy" — and whether Boissonnault had broken the law by being involved in the daily operations of the company more than ten months after being sworn in to cabinet. Boissonnault denied the allegations, telling the House of Commons in June that he has "had no role in this company since being elected in 2021." He also told the ethics committee that he didn't know the last name of the other Randy. "That person is not me," he said. 'No evidence' to support allegations, commissioner says But the letter from the commissioner says that Boissonnault submitted call logs and texts from three of his personal devices for the day in question — September 8, 2022 — and the information provided supported Boissonnault's statement that he did not have any correspondence with Anderson. "Other than the name 'Randy' being used in text messages from Mr. Anderson to Malvina Ghaoui, messages which according to the published excerpts were neither addressed nor copied to you, I do not have any information before me to support the allegation that you were involved in managing or operating GHI on September 8, 2022," said the letter from von Finckenstein. The letter also said that Boissonnault confirmed with the ethics commissioner that he stopped working with GHI when he was elected in 2021, and provided documentation indicating that his resignation as director was noted in the company's corporate minutes in October 2021. The Conservative opposition had been calling for the identity of the "other Randy" to be made public, but the person's last name has never been released. Michael Barrett, the Conservative Party's ethics critic, said the party's MPs won't drop their inquiries just because the ethics commissioner has decided not pursue a further investigation. "After nine years of this scandal-plagued government under Justin Trudeau, who has twice been personally found guilty of breaking ethics laws, it's clear that they're not worth the corruption or the coverups. The ethics commissioner's decision not to investigate does not exonerate Minister Boissonnault so long as important questions remain unanswered," Barrett said. Barrett said Boissonnault and his former business partner should have been more forthcoming with a Commons committee that wants to probe this matter further. "The refusal by the co-owner to release phone records and documents to a parliamentary committee has only further raised suspicions," he said. "The Liberals could clear the air, but they are instead using every tool to hide the truth. They blocked the other 'Randy' from testifying and refuse to answer simple questions, including the identity of who the elusive other Randy is." Publicly available records don't list anyone named "Randy" as having worked for GHI, other than Boissonnault.

Centered Health appoints Dr. Debra Kalan, M.D. as Medical Director for Adolescent Treatment Centers

Centered Health, committed to delivering the highest quality mental health care for adolescents and adults, announces the appointment of psychiatrist Dr. Debra Kalan, M.D. as Medical Director for the adolescent treatment centers. Dr. Kalan, a board-certified psychiatrist with 25 years of experience, will play a crucial role in medical care provided by Centered Health's adolescent mental health treatment centers: Beachside Teen Treatment Center in Hillcrest Adolescent Treatment Center in Agoura Hills, CA. Her extensive knowledge in adolescent and adult brain health will be instrumental in advancing Centered Health's commitment to personalized, client-centered care. Dr. Kalan's expertise includes treating a wide range of mental and behavioral health disorders in diverse settings, including acute care, residential programs, and partial hospitalization programs. Her role will focus on comprehensive assessments and tailored psychiatric care, ensuring each adolescent receives personalized support throughout their healing journey. "Dr. Kalan's appointment underscores our dedication to providing exceptional treatment for adolescents," said Christine Tonoli, Executive Director of the adolescent treatment centers. "We understand that entrusting a loved one's well-being to residential treatment can be daunting. This medical focus will further enhance the effectiveness and scope of our services, ensuring optimal outcomes for our clients." University of Southern California ( USC ). She completed her residency in Psychiatry and Neurology and a fellowship in Child & Adolescent Psychiatry at Harbor/UCLA Medical Center. Dr. Kalan has extensive experience in delivering individualized, evidence-based care. At USC's Engemann Student Health Center, she worked as a clinical professor at the Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences Clinic, providing long-term mental health services, including specialized treatment for eating disorders and gender-affirming care for students. Centered Health serves as a healing resource for all ages battling mental health, substance abuse, and eating disorders. The diverse network of premium mental health treatment centers and skilled teams ensure clients receive superior, individualized, evidence-based care in the most appropriate setting. The network includes the adolescent treatment centers comprising Beachside Teen Treatment Center in Malibu, CA and Hillcrest Adolescent Treatment Center in

motors

Centered Health appoints Dr. Debra Kalan, M.D. as Medical Director for Adolescent Treatment Centers. Centered Health, committed to delivering the highest quality mental health care for adolescents and adults, announces the appointment of psychiatrist Dr. Debra Kalan, M.D. as Medical Director for the adolescent treatment centers. Dr. Kalan, a board-certified psychiatrist with 25 years of experience, will play a crucial role in medical care provided by Centered Health's adolescent mental health treatment centers: Beachside Teen Treatment Center in Hillcrest Adolescent Treatment Center in Agoura Hills, CA. Her extensive knowledge in adolescent and adult brain health will be instrumental in advancing Centered Health's commitment to personalized, client-centered care. Dr. Kalan's expertise includes treating a wide range of mental and behavioral health disorders in diverse settings, including acute care, residential programs, and partial hospitalization programs. Her role will focus on comprehensive assessments and tailored psychiatric care, ensuring each adolescent receives personalized support throughout their healing journey. "Dr. Kalan's appointment underscores our dedication to providing exceptional treatment for adolescents," said Christine Tonoli, Executive Director of the adolescent treatment centers. "We understand that entrusting a loved one's well-being to residential treatment can be daunting. This medical focus will further enhance the effectiveness and scope of our services, ensuring optimal outcomes for our clients." University of Southern California ( USC ). She completed her residency in Psychiatry and Neurology and a fellowship in Child & Adolescent Psychiatry at Harbor/UCLA Medical Center. Dr. Kalan has extensive experience in delivering individualized, evidence-based care. At USC's Engemann Student Health Center, she worked as a clinical professor at the Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences Clinic, providing long-term mental health services, including specialized treatment for eating disorders and gender-affirming care for students. Centered Health serves as a healing resource for all ages battling mental health, substance abuse, and eating disorders. The diverse network of premium mental health treatment centers and skilled teams ensure clients receive superior, individualized, evidence-based care in the most appropriate setting. The network includes the adolescent treatment centers comprising Beachside Teen Treatment Center in Malibu, CA and Hillcrest Adolescent Treatment Center in

A Guide to RCS, Why Apple’s Adopting It, and How It Makes Texting Better

A Guide to RCS, Why Apple's Adopting It, and How It Makes Texting Better The messaging standard promises better security and cooler features than plain old SMS. Android has had it for years, but now iPhones are getting it too. If you've been keeping up with all the news out of WWDC 2024 this week, you'll know that Apple is bringing the RCS (Rich Communication Services) messaging standard to iPhones later this year with iOS 18. That's a win for Google, which has long backed RCS on Android. But what actually is RCS? And why does supporting it matter? The short version: It's an upgrade on the standard SMS/MMS texting standards that smartphones have been using from the start. It brings better support for all the cool features we're used to in our messaging apps, like read receipts and images, and it adds some extra security layers too. Yes, it's a lot like using iMessage from Apple, or using WhatsApp—though it's not quite that simple. There's no RCS app you can install, but you can find apps that support the RCS standard, as we'll explain. RCS is coming to iOS this year. Courtesy of Apple So the long version: Rich Communication Services is a fundamental standard rather than an app like WhatsApp, Signal, or Telegram. It requires carrier support to work, which is why adoption was slow in the beginning, though RCS now works across most countries and is supported by AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile. SMS (Short Message Service) and MMS (Multimedia Messaging Service) weren't really built for the modern way that we communicate through our phones, and RCS tries to fix that. It adds or improves support for sharing large-resolution images and video, group chatting, read receipts, video calls, and messages that actually go beyond 160 characters. When RCS is supported in your phone's default texting app, you can add reactions to messages, see when someone else is typing, and drop extra elements like GIFs, stickers, and your current location into conversations—all features you may well be used to and accept as standard in other apps. There are changes and upgrades behind the scenes as well. Whereas SMS/MMS requires a data connection to your cellular network, RCS works over cell networks as well as Wi-Fi. If you don't have a cell signal for whatever reason but you can find a wireless network, your message can still go through. The standard also brings end-to-end encryption with it. It means that no one else—not even Google or your carrier—can see the conversation that's taking place, because only the devices involved in the conversation have the keys necessary to decrypt it. End-to-end encryption is a security feature you should look for in any app that handles sensitive information, including communications. It's a clear upgrade, which is why Google Messages and Samsung Messages now support it—the messaging apps you'll find on Pixel phones and Galaxy phones, respectively. In November 2023, Apple finally relented and agreed to support RCS on the iPhone in 2024, though this course correction perhaps had more to do with concerns about antitrust procedures than any newfound sense of camaraderie with Google. Now we know that iPhone RCS support is going to arrive in September with iOS 18. This means all of those features we've mentioned—from read receipts to message reactions—will work inside the iOS Messages app. However, Android users are still going to show up as green bubbles, as the RCS standard isn't going to be fully integrated with the iMessage platform that Apple operates. How RCS messages will look on an iPhone. Courtesy of Apple With iOS 18 still in its development stage, there might be changes to come for how RCS is handled on iPhones before the software is rolled out to all compatible devices later in the year. This version of iOS will work on any iPhone models launched in 2018 or later, so most Apple handsets currently in use will get the software and RCS. It's the same with Samsung Messages: RCS is simply enabled when available. It's Google Messages for Android that gives you most control over RCS settings, and you can get to them from inside the app by tapping your profile picture (top right), then selecting Messages settings. Choose RCS chats and you're able to turn features such as read receipts and typing indicators on or off. With RCS soon to appear on iPhones and now extensively supported on Android devices, it's going to become less and less likely that your phone will need to revert back to SMS—though it will do this if RCS isn't available for whatever reason. Otherwise, the standard that has powered our text messages since 1992 will finally be able to enjoy a well-earned retirement.

tech

A Guide to RCS, Why Apple’s Adopting It, and How It Makes Texting Better. A Guide to RCS, Why Apple's Adopting It, and How It Makes Texting Better The messaging standard promises better security and cooler features than plain old SMS. Android has had it for years, but now iPhones are getting it too. If you've been keeping up with all the news out of WWDC 2024 this week, you'll know that Apple is bringing the RCS (Rich Communication Services) messaging standard to iPhones later this year with iOS 18. That's a win for Google, which has long backed RCS on Android. But what actually is RCS? And why does supporting it matter? The short version: It's an upgrade on the standard SMS/MMS texting standards that smartphones have been using from the start. It brings better support for all the cool features we're used to in our messaging apps, like read receipts and images, and it adds some extra security layers too. Yes, it's a lot like using iMessage from Apple, or using WhatsApp—though it's not quite that simple. There's no RCS app you can install, but you can find apps that support the RCS standard, as we'll explain. RCS is coming to iOS this year. Courtesy of Apple So the long version: Rich Communication Services is a fundamental standard rather than an app like WhatsApp, Signal, or Telegram. It requires carrier support to work, which is why adoption was slow in the beginning, though RCS now works across most countries and is supported by AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile. SMS (Short Message Service) and MMS (Multimedia Messaging Service) weren't really built for the modern way that we communicate through our phones, and RCS tries to fix that. It adds or improves support for sharing large-resolution images and video, group chatting, read receipts, video calls, and messages that actually go beyond 160 characters. When RCS is supported in your phone's default texting app, you can add reactions to messages, see when someone else is typing, and drop extra elements like GIFs, stickers, and your current location into conversations—all features you may well be used to and accept as standard in other apps. There are changes and upgrades behind the scenes as well. Whereas SMS/MMS requires a data connection to your cellular network, RCS works over cell networks as well as Wi-Fi. If you don't have a cell signal for whatever reason but you can find a wireless network, your message can still go through. The standard also brings end-to-end encryption with it. It means that no one else—not even Google or your carrier—can see the conversation that's taking place, because only the devices involved in the conversation have the keys necessary to decrypt it. End-to-end encryption is a security feature you should look for in any app that handles sensitive information, including communications. It's a clear upgrade, which is why Google Messages and Samsung Messages now support it—the messaging apps you'll find on Pixel phones and Galaxy phones, respectively. In November 2023, Apple finally relented and agreed to support RCS on the iPhone in 2024, though this course correction perhaps had more to do with concerns about antitrust procedures than any newfound sense of camaraderie with Google. Now we know that iPhone RCS support is going to arrive in September with iOS 18. This means all of those features we've mentioned—from read receipts to message reactions—will work inside the iOS Messages app. However, Android users are still going to show up as green bubbles, as the RCS standard isn't going to be fully integrated with the iMessage platform that Apple operates. How RCS messages will look on an iPhone. Courtesy of Apple With iOS 18 still in its development stage, there might be changes to come for how RCS is handled on iPhones before the software is rolled out to all compatible devices later in the year. This version of iOS will work on any iPhone models launched in 2018 or later, so most Apple handsets currently in use will get the software and RCS. It's the same with Samsung Messages: RCS is simply enabled when available. It's Google Messages for Android that gives you most control over RCS settings, and you can get to them from inside the app by tapping your profile picture (top right), then selecting Messages settings. Choose RCS chats and you're able to turn features such as read receipts and typing indicators on or off. With RCS soon to appear on iPhones and now extensively supported on Android devices, it's going to become less and less likely that your phone will need to revert back to SMS—though it will do this if RCS isn't available for whatever reason. Otherwise, the standard that has powered our text messages since 1992 will finally be able to enjoy a well-earned retirement.

Judge sentences man to life in prison for killing St. Louis police officer

FILE - Defendant Thomas Kinworthy Jr. sits in the courtroom during his first-degree murder trial, May 2, 2024, in St. Louis. Kinworthy Jr., who was convicted of killing a St. Louis police officer in 2020, was sentenced to life in prison without parole on Thursday, June 27. ST. LOUIS (AP) — A man convicted of killing a St. Louis police officer in 2020 was sentenced to life in prison without parole on Thursday. Judge Elizabeth Hogan ordered Thomas Kinworthy Jr., 46, to serve two consecutive life sentences for first-degree murder and first-degree assault, adding dozens of years for burglary and other charges. Enjoy the latest local, national and international news. Exclusive articles by Conrad Black, Barbara Kay and others. Plus, special edition NP Platformed and First Reading newsletters and virtual events. Unlimited online access to National Post and 15 news sites with one account. National Post ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. Support local journalism. Enjoy the latest local, national and international news. Exclusive articles by Conrad Black, Barbara Kay and others. Plus, special edition NP Platformed and First Reading newsletters and virtual events. Unlimited online access to National Post and 15 news sites with one account. National Post ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. Support local journalism. Bohannon was with the police department for 3 1/2 years, and had a wife and three young children. He responded to a call after an armed man ordered a family out of their home and barricaded himself inside, police said. Bohannon was shot in the head and a second officer in the leg as officers were looking for another person who was reportedly shot, police said. Bohannon's loved ones, including his parents, sister, wife and children, read statements about the impact of his death on them. "He should still be here," Elizabeth Bohannon said of her son. "He should be here to experience all that life had to offer him." Tiffany Bautista said she learned her brother had been shot in the head shortly after she had given birth to her first child. She said she and her husband had to plead with a hospital CEO to let her leave her 12-hour-old son to see her brother. Kinworthy disputed the case and said nothing can change the events around Bohannon's death or his sentence. He angrily interrupted the prosecutor at times when she read through his criminal history during sentencing recommendations.

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Judge sentences man to life in prison for killing St. Louis police officer. FILE - Defendant Thomas Kinworthy Jr. sits in the courtroom during his first-degree murder trial, May 2, 2024, in St. Louis. Kinworthy Jr., who was convicted of killing a St. Louis police officer in 2020, was sentenced to life in prison without parole on Thursday, June 27. ST. LOUIS (AP) — A man convicted of killing a St. Louis police officer in 2020 was sentenced to life in prison without parole on Thursday. Judge Elizabeth Hogan ordered Thomas Kinworthy Jr., 46, to serve two consecutive life sentences for first-degree murder and first-degree assault, adding dozens of years for burglary and other charges. Enjoy the latest local, national and international news. Exclusive articles by Conrad Black, Barbara Kay and others. Plus, special edition NP Platformed and First Reading newsletters and virtual events. Unlimited online access to National Post and 15 news sites with one account. National Post ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. Support local journalism. Enjoy the latest local, national and international news. Exclusive articles by Conrad Black, Barbara Kay and others. Plus, special edition NP Platformed and First Reading newsletters and virtual events. Unlimited online access to National Post and 15 news sites with one account. National Post ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. Support local journalism. Bohannon was with the police department for 3 1/2 years, and had a wife and three young children. He responded to a call after an armed man ordered a family out of their home and barricaded himself inside, police said. Bohannon was shot in the head and a second officer in the leg as officers were looking for another person who was reportedly shot, police said. Bohannon's loved ones, including his parents, sister, wife and children, read statements about the impact of his death on them. "He should still be here," Elizabeth Bohannon said of her son. "He should be here to experience all that life had to offer him." Tiffany Bautista said she learned her brother had been shot in the head shortly after she had given birth to her first child. She said she and her husband had to plead with a hospital CEO to let her leave her 12-hour-old son to see her brother. Kinworthy disputed the case and said nothing can change the events around Bohannon's death or his sentence. He angrily interrupted the prosecutor at times when she read through his criminal history during sentencing recommendations.

InventHelp Inventor Develops Rapid 3-Section Paint Roller (PDK-460)

Eden Valley, Minn., "so I invented the SPINDLE BEAST. My design enables you to apply a coating to 3 sides of a spindle or other curved surface in one motion." The patent-pending invention provides an improved design for a 3-section paint roller. In doing so, it can be used when painting or staining deck or banister spindles, pipes, or similar curved surfaces. As a result, it allows the user to precisely control the 3 paint roller positions for increased efficiency. The invention features an adjustable design that is easy to use, ergonomic, and flexible so it is ideal for professional painters and do-it-yourself enthusiasts. The original design was submitted to the National sales office of InventHelp. It is currently available for licensing or sale to manufacturers or marketers. For more information, write Dept. 22-PDK-460, InventHelp, 100 Beecham Drive, Suite 110, Pittsburgh, PA 15205-9801, or call (412) 288-1300 ext. 1368. Learn more about InventHelp's Invention Submission Services at

motors

InventHelp Inventor Develops Rapid 3-Section Paint Roller (PDK-460). Eden Valley, Minn., "so I invented the SPINDLE BEAST. My design enables you to apply a coating to 3 sides of a spindle or other curved surface in one motion." The patent-pending invention provides an improved design for a 3-section paint roller. In doing so, it can be used when painting or staining deck or banister spindles, pipes, or similar curved surfaces. As a result, it allows the user to precisely control the 3 paint roller positions for increased efficiency. The invention features an adjustable design that is easy to use, ergonomic, and flexible so it is ideal for professional painters and do-it-yourself enthusiasts. The original design was submitted to the National sales office of InventHelp. It is currently available for licensing or sale to manufacturers or marketers. For more information, write Dept. 22-PDK-460, InventHelp, 100 Beecham Drive, Suite 110, Pittsburgh, PA 15205-9801, or call (412) 288-1300 ext. 1368. Learn more about InventHelp's Invention Submission Services at

EcoFlow’s $200 PowerStream is so clever, you might buy a $4,000 solar generator

A mini power plant that turns a standard power outlet into a solar power inlet. Portable solar generators are so useful that you increasingly see them at the beach, campground, job site, or anywhere without access to grid power. But they’re also an expensive luxury if shoved into storage as soon as you return home. EcoFlow’s $200-ish PowerStream box can help maximize the year-round usefulness of the company’s own solar generators. It’s pitched as a plug-in “balcony solar system” that anyone can install, even if you’re renting an apartment. These DIY systems from EcoFlow, Anker , and others became very popular around Europe over the last few years as energy costs soared amid steadily decreasing solar and battery prices. They can lower your energy bills and ensure a modicum of home backup in the event of a power outage. Plug-in systems are built around a microinverter that feeds solar energy back into the home via a standard wall jack. The solar panels can be leaned up against a terrace wall, placed in a garden, or hung off a balcony railing . Any solar excess not used immediately by the home can be diverted into the solar generator’s big-ass battery for use later. Image: EcoFlow Balcony-mounted solar panels feed the sun’s energy through the PowerStream microinverter and back into a battery and / or the home over a regular AC outlet. A special flat cable allows the window to close. GIF: EcoFlow I’ve been testing an EcoFlow PowerStream setup in my own home, where I’ve installed $1,500 worth of EcoFlow’s portable solar panels on my roof, with the cables snaking through a window to the PowerStream box connected to a $2,599 EcoFlow Delta Pro . I also have six EcoFlow smart plugs attached to things like the washing machine, coffee maker, and home theater projector that tell the PowerStream to send more or less power. It’s surprisingly simple to set up and get running, but not without some initial trepidation about safety, which I delve into below. I also made a mistake that killed the first PowerStream EcoFlow sent me. But importantly, I learned a lot about my family’s energy consumption habits and how much power 800W of haphazardly installed solar panels can produce under a weak northern sun. So, it’s a shame that EcoFlow’s PowerStream is a Europe-only solution for now. How does it save me money? The PowerStream has three proprietary ports: one that connects to your MC4 solar panels; one that connects to your battery; and one AC output that plugs into a standard wall socket. The battery is entirely optional if you just want to feed every watt of solar power produced back into your home. To understand how the PowerStream works, let’s look at a real example using screen recordings taken from the excellent EcoFlow app. Note how the direction of power delivery changes from GIF to GIF as EcoFlow’s smart plugs steadily increase demand. The home is demanding less power than my solar panels are producing, so the excess solar energy is diverted to the battery for use later. In the first GIF above, I’m generating 397W of solar power, but my home is only demanding 290W — 250W for the “base load” and 40W for EcoFlow’s smart plugs (both of which I’ll describe in detail later). Since that load could be covered by solar power alone, the PowerStream didn’t need to request any power from the grid. It immediately sends the excess 107W of solar to charge the connected Delta Pro battery instead. Turning on the home theater projector increases demand beyond what the solar panels can provide, so the PowerStream taps into the battery to make up the balance. But after I turn on my home theater projector, the “smart plug” load jumps to 239W, and my solar panels can no longer cover the 489W now demanded by my home. So PowerStream diverts an extra 92W from the battery to cover the new total. Power grid demand is still 0W since the incoming solar power and battery power can cover the total demand of the home. Turning on the Nespresso coffee machine exceeds the 800W capacity of the PowerStream, so the grid is called upon to provide the rest. Finally, I turn on my Nespresso coffee machine, which activates the grid. The PowerStream has a maximum output of 800W (805W in this example), so it pulls an extra 845W from my grid provider to cover the 1,650W (1.4K plus 250W) my home is now demanding. Pretty clever, right? And while batteries do degrade if you cycle them every day like this, the LFP chemistry used by modern solar generators like the Delta Pro should maintain 80 percent of its charging capacity after 3,500 cycles — that’s almost 10 years. And it should still be good for 50 percent capacity after 6,000 cycles. By the end of my example day, the PowerStream had produced a total of 3.03kWh, saving me a grand total of... 90 euro cents at my current energy rates. That might not sound like a lot, but at that rate, it will easily pay off the PowerStream after about a year of usage — faster in some climates and slower in others. Notably, it would have paid itself off in just months last year, when I was paying over three times as much per kWh due to global events. Solar power from the PowerStream on April 29th. Note production peaking between 11AM and 3PM. Power from my grid provider, also on April 29th, 2024. My paid energy usage is mostly zero from 11AM to 3PM, and overall usage is well below 2023. Importantly, I have gained a degree of energy independence in this uncertain world — and making regular use of an expensive solar generator that was otherwise just waiting for the next road trip or natural disaster. Great, but is feeding that much electricity into a standard wall socket actually safe? A power outlet becomes a power inlet It might seem odd and even unsafe to feed electricity into something called a power outlet , but AC wall jacks are, in fact, bidirectional under the right conditions. The PowerStream is a mini power plant that automatically synchronizes with the grid to ensure seamless integration with the devices plugged into your home circuitry. Power flows from high to low voltages, which is why the grid voltage is slightly higher (by millivolts) than the devices plugged in. The PowerStream similarly alters its voltage to regulate the flow of power to your devices. EcoFlow’s smart plug works with the PowerStream to control the flow of power. EcoFlow says that PowerStream is not a burden on 16A home circuits in Europe because it’s limited to a maximum of 800W (or 600W in Germany, currently) and requires less than 3.5A. PowerStream has obtained grid certification in over 10 countries, covering 70 percent of Europe. You might still have to register it with your local energy provider, however — so do check your local requirements. And when there’s a power outage, the PowerStream will turn off automatically to ensure there’s no electricity in the wires in order to protect line workers from shock. The PowerStream will only turn back on when the grid power returns. (This also means that the PowerStream, unlike a Tesla Powerwall or EcoFlow’s own Delta Pro Ultra home backup system, can’t automatically switch over to battery during a blackout to power the home. Instead you have to disconnect the battery — a 100-pound Delta Pro in my case — from the PowerSteam and wheel it to wherever power is needed, like the kitchen or basement.) Despite how it looks in the app, the PowerStream isn’t actually sending power directly to the devices attached to those EcoFlow smart plugs. The PowerStream uses the smart plugs as signals to pump more or less juice into the stream of power entering the home, from which every device can drink. Microinverters like EcoFlow’s PowerStream aren’t available in the US at all due to restrictions that prohibit plug-in grid solutions. Installation The hardest part in setting up the PowerStream is doing the math to ensure your solar panels are wired up properly in series or parallel , especially when maxing out the system like I did. My bad math caused me to smoke the first PowerStream review unit by overvolting it (where, by “smoke,” I mean it just stopped working forever). Eventually, I figured out the right wiring configuration to keep everything under the 55V / 13A limit of the PowerStream’s solar inputs. 800W of portable solar panels takes up a ton of space. My setup is meant to be temporary because I still want to take the portable EcoFlow solar panels and Delta Pro on the road — but those panels need to be securely mounted. This can be done using EcoFlow’s own mounts (or your own, like I did) because a strong wind could easily send those lightweight panels flying. Of course, there’s nothing preventing you from connecting a PowerStream to rigid panels from any company you choose. EcoFlow also sells its PowerStream with a new waterproof battery for a super tidy outdoor installation. Everything, including the PowerStream, is IP54 rated, and the 2kWh battery is even heated to ensure proper operation in temperatures down to -20 degrees Celsius (-4 degrees Fahrenheit). The kit runs completely silently, as does the PowerStream in my own comparatively crude installation. With all the hardware installed, you then need to decide whether to prioritize power delivery from the PowerStream to your home circuitry or to battery storage. I currently default to home but would switch that to battery if a storm were in the forecast to ensure I had backup power. While you can schedule these modes to change throughout the day, you can only do it based on time, which is a shame. Ideally, it would automatically prioritize the battery if a big storm were in the forecast, as many home backup systems do. Still, scheduling a change in priority modes can be very useful if you’re on a variable energy contract. That way, you can charge the battery during off-peak hours and then use that relatively cheap stored energy to power the home when electricity prices are highest. The real trick to optimizing the PowerStream is to first determine your home’s idle baseline power usage — how many watts your home continuously pulls before turning on things like the dishwasher or coffee maker. Mine’s about 300W, according to the display on the smart energy meter in my utility closet. Ideally, EcoFlow’s PowerStream would get real-time readings from my smart meter, but that’s not currently possible. So, I set what EcoFlow calls the base load to 250W in its app to ensure a 50W cushion. That way, I can avoid feeding energy back into the grid. Doing so has potential financial repercussions depending on your provider and where you live. As the sun returns here in the Netherlands, power companies are struggling to cope with oversupply under the current solar incentive scheme, resulting in charges levied against panel owners for energy returned to the grid. EcoFlow smart plugs help direct traffic Some PowerStream installations will benefit from a handful of Matter-enabled EcoFlow smart plugs installed on high-consumption devices like the TV, washer, dryer, dishwasher, refrigerator, and boiler to properly balance the load. They tell the PowerStream that those devices are demanding even more power than the base load, so it needs to ramp things up. Each smart plug costs €36 (about $39). In the first screen recording below, you can see the PowerStream delivering 482W into the home. It determines this number by starting with the 250W I set as my base load and adding 232W to cover all the devices connected to the smart plugs. And since only 355W was coming in via solar at the time, it pulls an additional 127W from the connected Delta Pro battery for the home. In the second recording, the excess solar power is immediately diverted to the battery now that the projector is turned off. The PowerStream, with help from EcoFlow’s smart plugs, senses that my home needs more power than solar is producing, so it taps the battery for an additional 126W. The PowerStream senses a surplus of energy being produced by the solar panels, so it diverts the excess 74W to charge the battery. And while the app shows the power grid delivering 0W into the home, this is pure fantasy since I don’t have smart plugs on every single device attached to my home. (And remember, my true baseline is closer to 300W.) More power-heavy homes can just skip the smart plugs entirely. My maxed-out system with 800W of solar input can only generate a maximum of 4kWh per day, usually much less. That’s not enough to cover my daily base load of 6kWh (250W x 24 hours). So I should just feed enough solar power into the home to cover my base load during the day and send any excess to the EcoFlow battery for use when the sun goes down. I have to say, I’m incredibly impressed by the PowerStream, especially now that it’s priced at just €150 , almost half off the €279 it cost at launch last year. Not only does it help existing owners of EcoFlow’s solar generators maximize the value for their money but it also makes the idea of owning a solar generator more tempting knowing you can use it year-round, at home or off the grid. It also makes the owner acutely aware of their energy habits. I’ve been obsessing over the EcoFlow app’s data like a new runner who just bought their first Garmin watch. For me, it’s been an interesting and relatively frugal first step toward energy independence. I now have real data and experience to help make a very complex decision about installing my own fixed panel system. Photography by Thomas Ricker / The Verge

tech

EcoFlow’s $200 PowerStream is so clever, you might buy a $4,000 solar generator. A mini power plant that turns a standard power outlet into a solar power inlet. Portable solar generators are so useful that you increasingly see them at the beach, campground, job site, or anywhere without access to grid power. But they’re also an expensive luxury if shoved into storage as soon as you return home. EcoFlow’s $200-ish PowerStream box can help maximize the year-round usefulness of the company’s own solar generators. It’s pitched as a plug-in “balcony solar system” that anyone can install, even if you’re renting an apartment. These DIY systems from EcoFlow, Anker , and others became very popular around Europe over the last few years as energy costs soared amid steadily decreasing solar and battery prices. They can lower your energy bills and ensure a modicum of home backup in the event of a power outage. Plug-in systems are built around a microinverter that feeds solar energy back into the home via a standard wall jack. The solar panels can be leaned up against a terrace wall, placed in a garden, or hung off a balcony railing . Any solar excess not used immediately by the home can be diverted into the solar generator’s big-ass battery for use later. Image: EcoFlow Balcony-mounted solar panels feed the sun’s energy through the PowerStream microinverter and back into a battery and / or the home over a regular AC outlet. A special flat cable allows the window to close. GIF: EcoFlow I’ve been testing an EcoFlow PowerStream setup in my own home, where I’ve installed $1,500 worth of EcoFlow’s portable solar panels on my roof, with the cables snaking through a window to the PowerStream box connected to a $2,599 EcoFlow Delta Pro . I also have six EcoFlow smart plugs attached to things like the washing machine, coffee maker, and home theater projector that tell the PowerStream to send more or less power. It’s surprisingly simple to set up and get running, but not without some initial trepidation about safety, which I delve into below. I also made a mistake that killed the first PowerStream EcoFlow sent me. But importantly, I learned a lot about my family’s energy consumption habits and how much power 800W of haphazardly installed solar panels can produce under a weak northern sun. So, it’s a shame that EcoFlow’s PowerStream is a Europe-only solution for now. How does it save me money? The PowerStream has three proprietary ports: one that connects to your MC4 solar panels; one that connects to your battery; and one AC output that plugs into a standard wall socket. The battery is entirely optional if you just want to feed every watt of solar power produced back into your home. To understand how the PowerStream works, let’s look at a real example using screen recordings taken from the excellent EcoFlow app. Note how the direction of power delivery changes from GIF to GIF as EcoFlow’s smart plugs steadily increase demand. The home is demanding less power than my solar panels are producing, so the excess solar energy is diverted to the battery for use later. In the first GIF above, I’m generating 397W of solar power, but my home is only demanding 290W — 250W for the “base load” and 40W for EcoFlow’s smart plugs (both of which I’ll describe in detail later). Since that load could be covered by solar power alone, the PowerStream didn’t need to request any power from the grid. It immediately sends the excess 107W of solar to charge the connected Delta Pro battery instead. Turning on the home theater projector increases demand beyond what the solar panels can provide, so the PowerStream taps into the battery to make up the balance. But after I turn on my home theater projector, the “smart plug” load jumps to 239W, and my solar panels can no longer cover the 489W now demanded by my home. So PowerStream diverts an extra 92W from the battery to cover the new total. Power grid demand is still 0W since the incoming solar power and battery power can cover the total demand of the home. Turning on the Nespresso coffee machine exceeds the 800W capacity of the PowerStream, so the grid is called upon to provide the rest. Finally, I turn on my Nespresso coffee machine, which activates the grid. The PowerStream has a maximum output of 800W (805W in this example), so it pulls an extra 845W from my grid provider to cover the 1,650W (1.4K plus 250W) my home is now demanding. Pretty clever, right? And while batteries do degrade if you cycle them every day like this, the LFP chemistry used by modern solar generators like the Delta Pro should maintain 80 percent of its charging capacity after 3,500 cycles — that’s almost 10 years. And it should still be good for 50 percent capacity after 6,000 cycles. By the end of my example day, the PowerStream had produced a total of 3.03kWh, saving me a grand total of... 90 euro cents at my current energy rates. That might not sound like a lot, but at that rate, it will easily pay off the PowerStream after about a year of usage — faster in some climates and slower in others. Notably, it would have paid itself off in just months last year, when I was paying over three times as much per kWh due to global events. Solar power from the PowerStream on April 29th. Note production peaking between 11AM and 3PM. Power from my grid provider, also on April 29th, 2024. My paid energy usage is mostly zero from 11AM to 3PM, and overall usage is well below 2023. Importantly, I have gained a degree of energy independence in this uncertain world — and making regular use of an expensive solar generator that was otherwise just waiting for the next road trip or natural disaster. Great, but is feeding that much electricity into a standard wall socket actually safe? A power outlet becomes a power inlet It might seem odd and even unsafe to feed electricity into something called a power outlet , but AC wall jacks are, in fact, bidirectional under the right conditions. The PowerStream is a mini power plant that automatically synchronizes with the grid to ensure seamless integration with the devices plugged into your home circuitry. Power flows from high to low voltages, which is why the grid voltage is slightly higher (by millivolts) than the devices plugged in. The PowerStream similarly alters its voltage to regulate the flow of power to your devices. EcoFlow’s smart plug works with the PowerStream to control the flow of power. EcoFlow says that PowerStream is not a burden on 16A home circuits in Europe because it’s limited to a maximum of 800W (or 600W in Germany, currently) and requires less than 3.5A. PowerStream has obtained grid certification in over 10 countries, covering 70 percent of Europe. You might still have to register it with your local energy provider, however — so do check your local requirements. And when there’s a power outage, the PowerStream will turn off automatically to ensure there’s no electricity in the wires in order to protect line workers from shock. The PowerStream will only turn back on when the grid power returns. (This also means that the PowerStream, unlike a Tesla Powerwall or EcoFlow’s own Delta Pro Ultra home backup system, can’t automatically switch over to battery during a blackout to power the home. Instead you have to disconnect the battery — a 100-pound Delta Pro in my case — from the PowerSteam and wheel it to wherever power is needed, like the kitchen or basement.) Despite how it looks in the app, the PowerStream isn’t actually sending power directly to the devices attached to those EcoFlow smart plugs. The PowerStream uses the smart plugs as signals to pump more or less juice into the stream of power entering the home, from which every device can drink. Microinverters like EcoFlow’s PowerStream aren’t available in the US at all due to restrictions that prohibit plug-in grid solutions. Installation The hardest part in setting up the PowerStream is doing the math to ensure your solar panels are wired up properly in series or parallel , especially when maxing out the system like I did. My bad math caused me to smoke the first PowerStream review unit by overvolting it (where, by “smoke,” I mean it just stopped working forever). Eventually, I figured out the right wiring configuration to keep everything under the 55V / 13A limit of the PowerStream’s solar inputs. 800W of portable solar panels takes up a ton of space. My setup is meant to be temporary because I still want to take the portable EcoFlow solar panels and Delta Pro on the road — but those panels need to be securely mounted. This can be done using EcoFlow’s own mounts (or your own, like I did) because a strong wind could easily send those lightweight panels flying. Of course, there’s nothing preventing you from connecting a PowerStream to rigid panels from any company you choose. EcoFlow also sells its PowerStream with a new waterproof battery for a super tidy outdoor installation. Everything, including the PowerStream, is IP54 rated, and the 2kWh battery is even heated to ensure proper operation in temperatures down to -20 degrees Celsius (-4 degrees Fahrenheit). The kit runs completely silently, as does the PowerStream in my own comparatively crude installation. With all the hardware installed, you then need to decide whether to prioritize power delivery from the PowerStream to your home circuitry or to battery storage. I currently default to home but would switch that to battery if a storm were in the forecast to ensure I had backup power. While you can schedule these modes to change throughout the day, you can only do it based on time, which is a shame. Ideally, it would automatically prioritize the battery if a big storm were in the forecast, as many home backup systems do. Still, scheduling a change in priority modes can be very useful if you’re on a variable energy contract. That way, you can charge the battery during off-peak hours and then use that relatively cheap stored energy to power the home when electricity prices are highest. The real trick to optimizing the PowerStream is to first determine your home’s idle baseline power usage — how many watts your home continuously pulls before turning on things like the dishwasher or coffee maker. Mine’s about 300W, according to the display on the smart energy meter in my utility closet. Ideally, EcoFlow’s PowerStream would get real-time readings from my smart meter, but that’s not currently possible. So, I set what EcoFlow calls the base load to 250W in its app to ensure a 50W cushion. That way, I can avoid feeding energy back into the grid. Doing so has potential financial repercussions depending on your provider and where you live. As the sun returns here in the Netherlands, power companies are struggling to cope with oversupply under the current solar incentive scheme, resulting in charges levied against panel owners for energy returned to the grid. EcoFlow smart plugs help direct traffic Some PowerStream installations will benefit from a handful of Matter-enabled EcoFlow smart plugs installed on high-consumption devices like the TV, washer, dryer, dishwasher, refrigerator, and boiler to properly balance the load. They tell the PowerStream that those devices are demanding even more power than the base load, so it needs to ramp things up. Each smart plug costs €36 (about $39). In the first screen recording below, you can see the PowerStream delivering 482W into the home. It determines this number by starting with the 250W I set as my base load and adding 232W to cover all the devices connected to the smart plugs. And since only 355W was coming in via solar at the time, it pulls an additional 127W from the connected Delta Pro battery for the home. In the second recording, the excess solar power is immediately diverted to the battery now that the projector is turned off. The PowerStream, with help from EcoFlow’s smart plugs, senses that my home needs more power than solar is producing, so it taps the battery for an additional 126W. The PowerStream senses a surplus of energy being produced by the solar panels, so it diverts the excess 74W to charge the battery. And while the app shows the power grid delivering 0W into the home, this is pure fantasy since I don’t have smart plugs on every single device attached to my home. (And remember, my true baseline is closer to 300W.) More power-heavy homes can just skip the smart plugs entirely. My maxed-out system with 800W of solar input can only generate a maximum of 4kWh per day, usually much less. That’s not enough to cover my daily base load of 6kWh (250W x 24 hours). So I should just feed enough solar power into the home to cover my base load during the day and send any excess to the EcoFlow battery for use when the sun goes down. I have to say, I’m incredibly impressed by the PowerStream, especially now that it’s priced at just €150 , almost half off the €279 it cost at launch last year. Not only does it help existing owners of EcoFlow’s solar generators maximize the value for their money but it also makes the idea of owning a solar generator more tempting knowing you can use it year-round, at home or off the grid. It also makes the owner acutely aware of their energy habits. I’ve been obsessing over the EcoFlow app’s data like a new runner who just bought their first Garmin watch. For me, it’s been an interesting and relatively frugal first step toward energy independence. I now have real data and experience to help make a very complex decision about installing my own fixed panel system. Photography by Thomas Ricker / The Verge

Musiala and Gündogan shine as Germany ease to win against Hungary

Germany have momentum and, on current evidence, the dead-eyed edge of old. This was not quite the effervescent night's football they produced against Scotland but it was more than enough to impress a lively crowd who, by the end, sensed they could start to believe. Goals midway through each half saw off a Hungary side that played well but missed chances at key moments, particularly when Barnabas Varga fluffed a glorious opportunity to equalise. Jamal Musiala, born here in Stuttgart, continued his dazzling form with the first and quality told again when the influential Ilkay Gündogan wrapped things up. Hungary had been presented as dark horses for a long run at Euro 2024 but their prospects of further participation now hang by the slimmest of threads. Germany 2-0 Hungary: Euro 2024 – live Read more This was another vibrant spectacle at a tournament that has, in the stands, presented a gorgeous summer collage. Barely anybody in the arena had arrived without national colours and there was further pleasure to be taken in the fact that, while the presence of around 20,000 Hungary supporters meant the occasion was deemed high risk by police, no significant flashpoints were reported in the buildup. Germany added to the palate by giving their pink-based second strip a tournament debut. They took 10 minutes to work their way into what quickly became another pulsating, incident-packed half of football but Musiala's goal had been signposted. Some of the home side's interplays around the box had been within a whisker of paying off and, when Musiala collected the ball from Florian Wirtz before slipping it into a bursting Gündogan's path, they managed to make one stick. Scotland v Switzerland: Euro 2024 – live Read more Marco Rossi had claimed that a point would be more than satisfactory for Hungary, presumably fancying their chances against Scotland on Sunday, but they almost caught Germany cold before falling behind. Manuel Neuer needed to be smartly out to the feet of Roland Sallai within 16 seconds of the start; he was then appreciative that a shot from Bendeguz Bolla, struck fiercely from an angle, was deflected over. Peter Gulacsi saved at point-blank range from Kai Havertz, who perhaps foreshadowed the opener by outmuscling Orban, as Germany roused themselves. But they did not coast clear upon going ahead and Neuer, brilliantly repelling a Dominik Szoboszlai free-kick before denying Varga from the rebound, was quickly required to bely his 38 years. Soon afterwards Jonathan Tah blocked another goalbound Szoboszlai effort and Hungary, while starved of possession for long spells, looked dangerous every time they attacked. They briefly thought they had equalised before half-time when Neuer saved from Orban and Sallai converted the loose ball, only for a flag to be raised. Germany's primary hope of a second had come through the electrifying Musiala, whose deflected strike into the side netting had a hefty proportion of the stadium celebrating in error. skip past newsletter promotion Privacy Notice: Newsletters may contain info about charities, online ads, and content funded by outside parties. For more information see our after newsletter promotion Almost immediately Tah was backpedalling under a left-sided cross from Sallai and thankful that Varga, given a free header, looped Hungary's best chance of the evening off target. How costly his aberration proved: Germany have been decisive finishers in the opening week and seven minutes later Gündogan was on hand to underscore the point. It came at the end of a passing move that Kroos, so influential again, quickened up with a first-time clip to Musiala. Eyes in the back of his head, the Bayern Munich forward found the left-back Maximilian Mittelstädt in space and the resulting cutback was swept in crisply by an unmarked Gündogan. It was a sweet moment for Mittelstädt, who plays his club football here. The contest was won. Gulacsi kept the score down with a save from Leroy Sané and Julian Nagelsmann played to the gallery late on, introducing two more Stuttgart players in Chris Führich and the Brighton loanee Deniz Undav. A late goalline clearance by Joshua Kimmich spoke of Germany's resolve to finish the job.

sports

Musiala and Gündogan shine as Germany ease to win against Hungary. Germany have momentum and, on current evidence, the dead-eyed edge of old. This was not quite the effervescent night's football they produced against Scotland but it was more than enough to impress a lively crowd who, by the end, sensed they could start to believe. Goals midway through each half saw off a Hungary side that played well but missed chances at key moments, particularly when Barnabas Varga fluffed a glorious opportunity to equalise. Jamal Musiala, born here in Stuttgart, continued his dazzling form with the first and quality told again when the influential Ilkay Gündogan wrapped things up. Hungary had been presented as dark horses for a long run at Euro 2024 but their prospects of further participation now hang by the slimmest of threads. Germany 2-0 Hungary: Euro 2024 – live Read more This was another vibrant spectacle at a tournament that has, in the stands, presented a gorgeous summer collage. Barely anybody in the arena had arrived without national colours and there was further pleasure to be taken in the fact that, while the presence of around 20,000 Hungary supporters meant the occasion was deemed high risk by police, no significant flashpoints were reported in the buildup. Germany added to the palate by giving their pink-based second strip a tournament debut. They took 10 minutes to work their way into what quickly became another pulsating, incident-packed half of football but Musiala's goal had been signposted. Some of the home side's interplays around the box had been within a whisker of paying off and, when Musiala collected the ball from Florian Wirtz before slipping it into a bursting Gündogan's path, they managed to make one stick. Scotland v Switzerland: Euro 2024 – live Read more Marco Rossi had claimed that a point would be more than satisfactory for Hungary, presumably fancying their chances against Scotland on Sunday, but they almost caught Germany cold before falling behind. Manuel Neuer needed to be smartly out to the feet of Roland Sallai within 16 seconds of the start; he was then appreciative that a shot from Bendeguz Bolla, struck fiercely from an angle, was deflected over. Peter Gulacsi saved at point-blank range from Kai Havertz, who perhaps foreshadowed the opener by outmuscling Orban, as Germany roused themselves. But they did not coast clear upon going ahead and Neuer, brilliantly repelling a Dominik Szoboszlai free-kick before denying Varga from the rebound, was quickly required to bely his 38 years. Soon afterwards Jonathan Tah blocked another goalbound Szoboszlai effort and Hungary, while starved of possession for long spells, looked dangerous every time they attacked. They briefly thought they had equalised before half-time when Neuer saved from Orban and Sallai converted the loose ball, only for a flag to be raised. Germany's primary hope of a second had come through the electrifying Musiala, whose deflected strike into the side netting had a hefty proportion of the stadium celebrating in error. skip past newsletter promotion Privacy Notice: Newsletters may contain info about charities, online ads, and content funded by outside parties. For more information see our after newsletter promotion Almost immediately Tah was backpedalling under a left-sided cross from Sallai and thankful that Varga, given a free header, looped Hungary's best chance of the evening off target. How costly his aberration proved: Germany have been decisive finishers in the opening week and seven minutes later Gündogan was on hand to underscore the point. It came at the end of a passing move that Kroos, so influential again, quickened up with a first-time clip to Musiala. Eyes in the back of his head, the Bayern Munich forward found the left-back Maximilian Mittelstädt in space and the resulting cutback was swept in crisply by an unmarked Gündogan. It was a sweet moment for Mittelstädt, who plays his club football here. The contest was won. Gulacsi kept the score down with a save from Leroy Sané and Julian Nagelsmann played to the gallery late on, introducing two more Stuttgart players in Chris Führich and the Brighton loanee Deniz Undav. A late goalline clearance by Joshua Kimmich spoke of Germany's resolve to finish the job.

Vitalik Buterin-backed developer of privacy protocol Nocturne shuts down

The company behind the privacy-focused protocol Nocturne has announced its closure just four months after discontinuing the protocol itself. Nocturne, which developed a privacy-oriented protocol for an X announcement on Jun. 5, Nocturne's team stated that the application's website will remain open for withdrawals until the end of June. After the deadline, the withdrawal process will be converted to a self-serve format via a GitHub repository. The team didn't provide a reason for the shutdown. Crypto's future hinges on solving the privacy-transparency conundrum | Opinion The closure follows Nocturne's decision in February to shut down the v1 version of the protocol and shift focus to "a new product in the application space." The team cited the nascent state of the layer-2 ecosystem as a reason for the protocol's closure, emphasizing that the transition to public layer-2 networks "must happen before privacy."

crypto

Vitalik Buterin-backed developer of privacy protocol Nocturne shuts down. The company behind the privacy-focused protocol Nocturne has announced its closure just four months after discontinuing the protocol itself. Nocturne, which developed a privacy-oriented protocol for an X announcement on Jun. 5, Nocturne's team stated that the application's website will remain open for withdrawals until the end of June. After the deadline, the withdrawal process will be converted to a self-serve format via a GitHub repository. The team didn't provide a reason for the shutdown. Crypto's future hinges on solving the privacy-transparency conundrum | Opinion The closure follows Nocturne's decision in February to shut down the v1 version of the protocol and shift focus to "a new product in the application space." The team cited the nascent state of the layer-2 ecosystem as a reason for the protocol's closure, emphasizing that the transition to public layer-2 networks "must happen before privacy."

FP Answers: I’m only 31 years old. Do I have to save and invest for retirement?

I am wondering if it makes sense to start collecting CPP before 2023 ends and will that avoid or reduce having to make those CPP contributions? Service Canada shows that I will receive maximum CPP benefits. Since I will be 61 shortly, I know the payments will be reduced by about 25 per cent. I am good with that as I will be managing my registered retirement savings plan (RRSP) withdrawals up to the age of 71 to maximize Old Age Security (OAS) and CPP along with the defined-benefit pension I am also fortunate enough to have. — Ron FP Answers: It sounds like you lucked out, Ron, by being able to exercise your stock options after you retired. Some companies have relatively short, accelerated expiry periods of 90 days. Other companies may allow a retiree to keep their original expiry date, often 10 years from the option grant date, subject to certain conditions. As you note, stock option proceeds are considered employment income. Stock options benefit from Article content Employment income is generally "pensionable" and subject to CPP contributions, especially when you are under age 65. With the exception of private company shares, stock option income should be dealt with at source with payroll deductions such as income tax and CPP contributions. So, given these were publicly traded shares, Ron, you probably had CPP contributions deducted from the proceeds. As an employee, your employer would have paid the employer CPP contributions, and you would have paid the employee CPP contributions. For 2023, that would have been $3,754.45 each if the option proceeds exceeded $66,600. As a result, you cannot opt out of paying those contributions. Once an employee is 65, they may be able to opt out of CPP contributions. But at your current age of 61, Ron, and based on the nature of the income, CPP is a requirement, not an option. Whether you start your CPP before the end of the year or not will make no difference. The timing of your CPP should be dependent on other factors, especially your life expectancy. If you have health issues or a family health history that could lead to a shorter-than-average life expectancy, you should be more motivated to start CPP. If your health is good or you have a long family history of living to a ripe old age, there may be a benefit to considering CPP deferral. CPP can be deferred as late as age 70. The later you defer CPP, the more your monthly payments will be. You may need to wait longer to get the income and draw down your RRSPs in the meantime, but if you live well into your 80s, you may be better off waiting and receiving higher CPP payments. You will have a similar timing decision to make with OAS at age 65. It can start at 65, but deferring it to as late as age 70 and getting an increased monthly payment is an option. Should I review my will beforehand with beneficiaries? You mentioned you have a DB pension. If you already have a relatively high DB pension, that may provide good longevity protection if you live a long life. If you are on the fence about CPP, the higher your DB pension is, the more beneficial it may be to consider starting CPP early. If your DB pension is small, or for someone else with little to no DB pension income, CPP deferral is that much better to consider if you are healthy. Retirement funding requires planning, so it is good to take the time to figure out the timing of pensions and the timing and magnitude of withdrawals from your various accounts. It may help you boost your retirement income, pay less tax in the future or maximize your estate. Andrew Dobson is a fee-only, advice-only certified financial planner (CFP) and chartered investment manager (CIM) at

business,lifestyle

FP Answers: I’m only 31 years old. Do I have to save and invest for retirement?. I am wondering if it makes sense to start collecting CPP before 2023 ends and will that avoid or reduce having to make those CPP contributions? Service Canada shows that I will receive maximum CPP benefits. Since I will be 61 shortly, I know the payments will be reduced by about 25 per cent. I am good with that as I will be managing my registered retirement savings plan (RRSP) withdrawals up to the age of 71 to maximize Old Age Security (OAS) and CPP along with the defined-benefit pension I am also fortunate enough to have. — Ron FP Answers: It sounds like you lucked out, Ron, by being able to exercise your stock options after you retired. Some companies have relatively short, accelerated expiry periods of 90 days. Other companies may allow a retiree to keep their original expiry date, often 10 years from the option grant date, subject to certain conditions. As you note, stock option proceeds are considered employment income. Stock options benefit from Article content Employment income is generally "pensionable" and subject to CPP contributions, especially when you are under age 65. With the exception of private company shares, stock option income should be dealt with at source with payroll deductions such as income tax and CPP contributions. So, given these were publicly traded shares, Ron, you probably had CPP contributions deducted from the proceeds. As an employee, your employer would have paid the employer CPP contributions, and you would have paid the employee CPP contributions. For 2023, that would have been $3,754.45 each if the option proceeds exceeded $66,600. As a result, you cannot opt out of paying those contributions. Once an employee is 65, they may be able to opt out of CPP contributions. But at your current age of 61, Ron, and based on the nature of the income, CPP is a requirement, not an option. Whether you start your CPP before the end of the year or not will make no difference. The timing of your CPP should be dependent on other factors, especially your life expectancy. If you have health issues or a family health history that could lead to a shorter-than-average life expectancy, you should be more motivated to start CPP. If your health is good or you have a long family history of living to a ripe old age, there may be a benefit to considering CPP deferral. CPP can be deferred as late as age 70. The later you defer CPP, the more your monthly payments will be. You may need to wait longer to get the income and draw down your RRSPs in the meantime, but if you live well into your 80s, you may be better off waiting and receiving higher CPP payments. You will have a similar timing decision to make with OAS at age 65. It can start at 65, but deferring it to as late as age 70 and getting an increased monthly payment is an option. Should I review my will beforehand with beneficiaries? You mentioned you have a DB pension. If you already have a relatively high DB pension, that may provide good longevity protection if you live a long life. If you are on the fence about CPP, the higher your DB pension is, the more beneficial it may be to consider starting CPP early. If your DB pension is small, or for someone else with little to no DB pension income, CPP deferral is that much better to consider if you are healthy. Retirement funding requires planning, so it is good to take the time to figure out the timing of pensions and the timing and magnitude of withdrawals from your various accounts. It may help you boost your retirement income, pay less tax in the future or maximize your estate. Andrew Dobson is a fee-only, advice-only certified financial planner (CFP) and chartered investment manager (CIM) at

The oldest church in the continental United States lies in Santa Fe, New Mexico

The oldest church in the continental United States is still functional today. Many sources consider San Miguel Chapel in Santa Fe, New Mexico to be the oldest church in the country. Since its original creation, around 1610, the church has been home to many events, including religious services, ceremonies, celebrations and more. 3 GREAT AMERICAN CITIES FOR HISTORY BUFFS AND PATRIOTIC TRAVELERS THIS SUMMER Interested in a tour of the property? Read on to learn more about this historic church. The San Miguel Chapel is famous for being known as the oldest church in the United States. The church is located in Santa Fe, New Mexico. It was constructed "under the direction of Franciscan friars to serve a small congregation of soldiers, laborers, and Indians who lived in the Barrio de Analco," per the church's website. The first historical written record of the church dates back to 1628. Yet many believe that the construction of the church dates back even further, according to the San Miguel Chapel website, with oral history putting the church's creation around 1610, in tandem with the founding of Santa Fe. ARCHAELOGISTS EXCAVATE 700-YEAR-OLD BARCELONA BUILDING THAT ONCE HOUSED A CHOCOLATE FACTORY The chapel was dedicated to Archangel Michael. A statue of him stands at the site of the church today, according to U.S. News & World Report. San Miguel Chapel has undergone reconstruction over the years. Documentation retained by the church, according to its website, shows that the chapel was heavily damaged, including the roof being burned during the Pueblo Revolt of 1680, also known as Popé's Rebellion. In 1710, San Miguel Chapel was rebuilt. Further repairs funded by the mayor of Santa Fe were done in 1798, according to the church's website. The community came together in 1887 for another rebuild when the church was in need of so many repairs, it was nearly demolished. CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR LIFESTYLE NEWSLETTER While the rebuilding of San Miguel Chapel has changed the structure from what it was when it was originally built, the church is still full of history. For example, parts of the original walls still remain intact. For more Lifestyle articles, visit www.foxnews.com/lifestyle Additionally, guests can view the 780 pound San Jose Bell that used to be in the bell tower. Sadly, the tower fell in a storm back in 1872 — but the bell is still on display inside the chapel. San Miguel Chapel is still open today. In addition to the religious services that have been regularly held at the church for hundreds of years, it has also been used for a number of other events, such as concerts, celebrations and ceremonies. Visitors can go on a tour of the property, or attend one of the many events being held at the church. An events calendar can be found online to see if there is anything you can attend during your visit.

lifestyle

The oldest church in the continental United States lies in Santa Fe, New Mexico. The oldest church in the continental United States is still functional today. Many sources consider San Miguel Chapel in Santa Fe, New Mexico to be the oldest church in the country. Since its original creation, around 1610, the church has been home to many events, including religious services, ceremonies, celebrations and more. 3 GREAT AMERICAN CITIES FOR HISTORY BUFFS AND PATRIOTIC TRAVELERS THIS SUMMER Interested in a tour of the property? Read on to learn more about this historic church. The San Miguel Chapel is famous for being known as the oldest church in the United States. The church is located in Santa Fe, New Mexico. It was constructed "under the direction of Franciscan friars to serve a small congregation of soldiers, laborers, and Indians who lived in the Barrio de Analco," per the church's website. The first historical written record of the church dates back to 1628. Yet many believe that the construction of the church dates back even further, according to the San Miguel Chapel website, with oral history putting the church's creation around 1610, in tandem with the founding of Santa Fe. ARCHAELOGISTS EXCAVATE 700-YEAR-OLD BARCELONA BUILDING THAT ONCE HOUSED A CHOCOLATE FACTORY The chapel was dedicated to Archangel Michael. A statue of him stands at the site of the church today, according to U.S. News & World Report. San Miguel Chapel has undergone reconstruction over the years. Documentation retained by the church, according to its website, shows that the chapel was heavily damaged, including the roof being burned during the Pueblo Revolt of 1680, also known as Popé's Rebellion. In 1710, San Miguel Chapel was rebuilt. Further repairs funded by the mayor of Santa Fe were done in 1798, according to the church's website. The community came together in 1887 for another rebuild when the church was in need of so many repairs, it was nearly demolished. CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR LIFESTYLE NEWSLETTER While the rebuilding of San Miguel Chapel has changed the structure from what it was when it was originally built, the church is still full of history. For example, parts of the original walls still remain intact. For more Lifestyle articles, visit www.foxnews.com/lifestyle Additionally, guests can view the 780 pound San Jose Bell that used to be in the bell tower. Sadly, the tower fell in a storm back in 1872 — but the bell is still on display inside the chapel. San Miguel Chapel is still open today. In addition to the religious services that have been regularly held at the church for hundreds of years, it has also been used for a number of other events, such as concerts, celebrations and ceremonies. Visitors can go on a tour of the property, or attend one of the many events being held at the church. An events calendar can be found online to see if there is anything you can attend during your visit.

LAMB WESTON SHAREHOLDER ALERT BY FORMER LOUISIANA ATTORNEY GENERAL: KAHN SWICK & FOTI, LLC REMINDS INVESTORS WITH LOSSES IN EXCESS OF $100,000 of Lead Plaintiff Deadline in Class Action Lawsuit Against Lamb Weston Holdings, Inc. - LW

If you purchased shares of Lamb Weston and would like to discuss your legal rights and how this case might affect you and your right to recover for your economic loss, you may, without obligation or cost to you, contact KSF Managing Partner Lewis Kahn toll-free at 1-877-515-1850 or via email ( [email protected] ), or visit to learn more. If you wish to serve as a lead plaintiff in this class action, you must petition the Court by Weston and certain of its executives are charged with failing to disclose material information during the Class Period, violating federal securities laws. April 4, 2024, the Company disclosed that it had experienced significant problems with its transition to a new Enterprise Resource Planning ("ERP") software system, which caused the Company to lose $135 million in sales during the third quarter of fiscal 2024 and necessitated a $330 million reduction to its sales guidance for the full fiscal year. On this news, the price of Lamb Weston's shares fell by Charles C. Foti, Jr., is one of the nation's premier boutique securities litigation law firms. KSF serves a variety of clients – including public institutional investors, hedge funds, money managers and retail investors – in seeking recoveries for investment losses emanating from corporate

business

LAMB WESTON SHAREHOLDER ALERT BY FORMER LOUISIANA ATTORNEY GENERAL: KAHN SWICK & FOTI, LLC REMINDS INVESTORS WITH LOSSES IN EXCESS OF $100,000 of Lead Plaintiff Deadline in Class Action Lawsuit Against Lamb Weston Holdings, Inc. - LW. If you purchased shares of Lamb Weston and would like to discuss your legal rights and how this case might affect you and your right to recover for your economic loss, you may, without obligation or cost to you, contact KSF Managing Partner Lewis Kahn toll-free at 1-877-515-1850 or via email ( [email protected] ), or visit to learn more. If you wish to serve as a lead plaintiff in this class action, you must petition the Court by Weston and certain of its executives are charged with failing to disclose material information during the Class Period, violating federal securities laws. April 4, 2024, the Company disclosed that it had experienced significant problems with its transition to a new Enterprise Resource Planning ("ERP") software system, which caused the Company to lose $135 million in sales during the third quarter of fiscal 2024 and necessitated a $330 million reduction to its sales guidance for the full fiscal year. On this news, the price of Lamb Weston's shares fell by Charles C. Foti, Jr., is one of the nation's premier boutique securities litigation law firms. KSF serves a variety of clients – including public institutional investors, hedge funds, money managers and retail investors – in seeking recoveries for investment losses emanating from corporate

Greenbelt-tarnished Ontario minister reappointed to cabinet

Back in cabinet after last week's shuffle, Clark served as the Ontario municipal affairs and housing minister until the $8.3 billion Greenbelt land swap scandal and two scathing reports by the province's auditor general and integrity commissioner forced his resignation. The reports revealed the Ford government's 2022 decision to open part of the protected Greenbelt for development resulted from a "seriously flawed" and "biased" process, while Clark himself violated ethics rules. But he returned to cabinet this week, after Ford appointed him "It's deeply troubling," said Keith Brooks, program director at Environmental Defence. "The premier is wrong if he thinks that Ontarians will forgive and forget the minister and others involved in his government's complete betrayal on this file." ongoing RCMP investigation and recent news that government staffers were communicating with developers using their personal email accounts also suggest there may be more wrongdoing still to come to light, Brooks added. Ontario's auditor general revealed that during the Greenbelt land swap process, preferential treatment was given to specific developers who had direct connections to Clark's chief of staff, Ryan Amato, who was not named in the report. Ford and Clark both told the auditor general they were unaware the land chosen for removal was controlled by Amato. The report revealed the Greenbelt removals were approved without full consideration of environmental and agricultural risks. Abdullah Mir, a member of Stop Sprawl Durham, described the cabinet shuffle as "nothing more than smoke and mirrors." He is particularly critical of Clark's promotion, given his involvement in the Greenbelt land removals. "He should no longer hold office — yet he seems to be failing upwards, instead being promoted for engaging in such a destructive policy that would've hurt many Ontarians," Mir said. "This government does not care about the people and is not for the people. It's only for its own interests and the interests of its small amount of supporters and donors." Steve Clark served as the Ontario municipal affairs and housing minister until the $8.3 billion #Greenbelt land swap scandal and two scathing reports by the province's auditor general and integrity commissioner forced his resignation. #onpoli The RCMP has launched a criminal investigation into the Ford government's Greenbelt land swap in the fall. "It is astonishing to see a disgraced minister… promoted by the premier to such an integral role in government," said Kevin Thomason, vice-chair, Grand River Environmental Network. "It either shows a massive lack of skills and talent within the Conservative Party, or how out of touch the premier is with how concerned citizens are about good governance, democracy, the Greenbelt scandal and how this government continuously puts well-connected developers ahead of the greater public good." Ford, in announcing the reshuffle, emphasized his focus on economic growth. He highlighted his renewed team's commitment to rebuilding Ontario's economy and delivering on core commitments, including building Highway 413 and the Bradford Bypass, fighting the carbon tax and expanding training opportunities in skilled trades. "As our province and economy continue to grow, this is the team that is working side-by-side with workers, businesses, labour partners, Indigenous leaders and every member of Team Ontario to rebuild our economy," said Premier Ford in a statement. "We're at an important moment in our province's history with clear choices. Our team is choosing growth and prosperity. We're choosing lower taxes and better jobs with bigger paycheques. Let's Get it Done!" Opposition politicians are less enthused. In a statement, New Democrat Leader Marit Stiles also criticized Clark's promotion. "Instead of coming clean about the Greenbelt scandal, Ford is promoting one of its key players," reads the statement. The cabinet reshuffle saw Stephen Lecce, the former education minister, appointed as the minister of energy and electrification. Todd Smith, who previously held the energy portfolio, has taken over as education minister. Lecce spoke to reporters after the reshuffle, outlining his goal to strengthen the province's energy capacity. He emphasized the government's main objective going forward is to expand the energy supply to drive economic development. Brooks also criticized the ministerial swap between Smith and Lecce, expressing skepticism about any meaningful change in energy policy. "When it comes to swapping Ministers Smith and Lecce, we don't anticipate much of a change in direction," said Brooks. "As best as we can tell, Enbridge and the nuclear power industry seem to be in control of energy policy in this province."

canada

Greenbelt-tarnished Ontario minister reappointed to cabinet. Back in cabinet after last week's shuffle, Clark served as the Ontario municipal affairs and housing minister until the $8.3 billion Greenbelt land swap scandal and two scathing reports by the province's auditor general and integrity commissioner forced his resignation. The reports revealed the Ford government's 2022 decision to open part of the protected Greenbelt for development resulted from a "seriously flawed" and "biased" process, while Clark himself violated ethics rules. But he returned to cabinet this week, after Ford appointed him "It's deeply troubling," said Keith Brooks, program director at Environmental Defence. "The premier is wrong if he thinks that Ontarians will forgive and forget the minister and others involved in his government's complete betrayal on this file." ongoing RCMP investigation and recent news that government staffers were communicating with developers using their personal email accounts also suggest there may be more wrongdoing still to come to light, Brooks added. Ontario's auditor general revealed that during the Greenbelt land swap process, preferential treatment was given to specific developers who had direct connections to Clark's chief of staff, Ryan Amato, who was not named in the report. Ford and Clark both told the auditor general they were unaware the land chosen for removal was controlled by Amato. The report revealed the Greenbelt removals were approved without full consideration of environmental and agricultural risks. Abdullah Mir, a member of Stop Sprawl Durham, described the cabinet shuffle as "nothing more than smoke and mirrors." He is particularly critical of Clark's promotion, given his involvement in the Greenbelt land removals. "He should no longer hold office — yet he seems to be failing upwards, instead being promoted for engaging in such a destructive policy that would've hurt many Ontarians," Mir said. "This government does not care about the people and is not for the people. It's only for its own interests and the interests of its small amount of supporters and donors." Steve Clark served as the Ontario municipal affairs and housing minister until the $8.3 billion #Greenbelt land swap scandal and two scathing reports by the province's auditor general and integrity commissioner forced his resignation. #onpoli The RCMP has launched a criminal investigation into the Ford government's Greenbelt land swap in the fall. "It is astonishing to see a disgraced minister… promoted by the premier to such an integral role in government," said Kevin Thomason, vice-chair, Grand River Environmental Network. "It either shows a massive lack of skills and talent within the Conservative Party, or how out of touch the premier is with how concerned citizens are about good governance, democracy, the Greenbelt scandal and how this government continuously puts well-connected developers ahead of the greater public good." Ford, in announcing the reshuffle, emphasized his focus on economic growth. He highlighted his renewed team's commitment to rebuilding Ontario's economy and delivering on core commitments, including building Highway 413 and the Bradford Bypass, fighting the carbon tax and expanding training opportunities in skilled trades. "As our province and economy continue to grow, this is the team that is working side-by-side with workers, businesses, labour partners, Indigenous leaders and every member of Team Ontario to rebuild our economy," said Premier Ford in a statement. "We're at an important moment in our province's history with clear choices. Our team is choosing growth and prosperity. We're choosing lower taxes and better jobs with bigger paycheques. Let's Get it Done!" Opposition politicians are less enthused. In a statement, New Democrat Leader Marit Stiles also criticized Clark's promotion. "Instead of coming clean about the Greenbelt scandal, Ford is promoting one of its key players," reads the statement. The cabinet reshuffle saw Stephen Lecce, the former education minister, appointed as the minister of energy and electrification. Todd Smith, who previously held the energy portfolio, has taken over as education minister. Lecce spoke to reporters after the reshuffle, outlining his goal to strengthen the province's energy capacity. He emphasized the government's main objective going forward is to expand the energy supply to drive economic development. Brooks also criticized the ministerial swap between Smith and Lecce, expressing skepticism about any meaningful change in energy policy. "When it comes to swapping Ministers Smith and Lecce, we don't anticipate much of a change in direction," said Brooks. "As best as we can tell, Enbridge and the nuclear power industry seem to be in control of energy policy in this province."

Curve Finance's Michael Egorov says $10M in bad debt fully paid

Curve founder Michael Egorov says he has fully repaid the $10 million in bad debt resulting from soft liquidations that were triggered due to a hacking attempt on June 13. Following the incident, Egorov took to social media to explain, " [The] size of my positions was too large for markets to handle and caused $10M of bad debt," before claiming he had already paid The Hack The June 13 hack attempt resulted in soft liquidations of Egorov's positions due to a dramatic, temporary increase in borrowing costs. At the height of the crisis, Egorov faced $140 million in liquidations due to $95 million in stablecoin debt, and a $60 million annualized fee to keep his positions open. More significantly, Curve's token, CRV, suffered a sharp decline amid the incident— plummeting by 28%. As a remedy, the Curve founder proposed burning 10% of CRV tokens, valued at $37 million, to stabilize the price of the token and offered increased APY as an incentive to voters of the initiative. Curve Finance awards dev $250K for finding reentrancy vulnerability. Curve's recent crisis has reignited questions and concerns surrounding the risks posed by Egorov's debt positions to the stability of the Curve platform, first proposed in a 2023 Delphi Digital report. The report argued that Egorov's $100 million in loans across DeFi protocols could trigger an LLAMMA soft liquidation mechanism works as intended Despite the significant pressures placed on the Curve platform, LLAMMA's soft liquidation mechanism performed as intended, Curve founder Michael Engorov explained. "The system showed a fantastic performance. This gave time for liquidators to prepare funds and OTC-liquidate the hacker's position. As a result, the system has no hacker's funds left, no bad debts, everything operates well."

crypto

Curve Finance's Michael Egorov says $10M in bad debt fully paid. Curve founder Michael Egorov says he has fully repaid the $10 million in bad debt resulting from soft liquidations that were triggered due to a hacking attempt on June 13. Following the incident, Egorov took to social media to explain, " [The] size of my positions was too large for markets to handle and caused $10M of bad debt," before claiming he had already paid The Hack The June 13 hack attempt resulted in soft liquidations of Egorov's positions due to a dramatic, temporary increase in borrowing costs. At the height of the crisis, Egorov faced $140 million in liquidations due to $95 million in stablecoin debt, and a $60 million annualized fee to keep his positions open. More significantly, Curve's token, CRV, suffered a sharp decline amid the incident— plummeting by 28%. As a remedy, the Curve founder proposed burning 10% of CRV tokens, valued at $37 million, to stabilize the price of the token and offered increased APY as an incentive to voters of the initiative. Curve Finance awards dev $250K for finding reentrancy vulnerability. Curve's recent crisis has reignited questions and concerns surrounding the risks posed by Egorov's debt positions to the stability of the Curve platform, first proposed in a 2023 Delphi Digital report. The report argued that Egorov's $100 million in loans across DeFi protocols could trigger an LLAMMA soft liquidation mechanism works as intended Despite the significant pressures placed on the Curve platform, LLAMMA's soft liquidation mechanism performed as intended, Curve founder Michael Engorov explained. "The system showed a fantastic performance. This gave time for liquidators to prepare funds and OTC-liquidate the hacker's position. As a result, the system has no hacker's funds left, no bad debts, everything operates well."

B.C. announces more support for youth mental health

B.C. announces more support for youth mental health The B.C. government says 10 new Foundry centres being developed in the province will give young people and their families faster and easier access to mental health and substance use services. 10 new Foundry centres are being developed, to bring the provincial total to 35 Posted: Mar 04, 2024 10:37 PM EST | Last Updated: 12 hours ago Jennifer Whiteside, B.C's minister of mental health and addictions, is pictured at the future home of the Foundry facility in Surrey, B.C. The province says 10 new Foundry centres are being developed, to bring the total to 35. (Ben Nelms/CBC) Social Sharing The British Columbia government says 10 new Foundry centres are being developed in the province that will give young people and their families faster and easier access to mental health and substance use services. Foundry is an integrated health and wellness service for people aged 12 to 24. According to a statement from the province, new centres will offer primary care, counselling, early intervention, prevention and addictions supports. The province says it has earmarked close to $75 million for Foundry expansion, with new centres coming to Burnaby, Chilliwack, Nanaimo, Port Alberni, Quesnel, Sooke-Westshore, South Surrey, Vancouver, Vanderhoof and the West Kootenays. Sixteen Foundry centres are open across the province with another nine in development. Foundry executive director Steve Mathias says they expect to have 35 centres open by 2027 in addition to virtual services. Mental Health and Addictions Minister Jennifer Whiteside made the announcement Monday at the site of a Foundry centre in Surrey that she says is expected to be operational by the end of the year. Plans for mental-health, addictions services for youth in northern B.C. get $675K boost from province Whiteside says the additional services come at a time when young people are facing greater stress and anxiety. "They've come through a global pandemic that has had a dramatic effect on their social lives, their mode of learning, their access to community, their family dynamic. And layered on top of that, we are in the midst of a climate emergency that creates its own set of anxieties for youth." Whiteside said the recently released B.C. Adolescent Health Survey paints a worrying picture of the mental health of young people. Released by the McCreary Centre Society, the survey posed questions to around 38,000 students between grades 7 and 12 in an effort to glimpse into the lives of B.C. teens. The latest edition of the survey, which has been conducted every five years for the past three decades, was released last month. It found that 24 per cent of youth had reported self-harm, up from 16 per cent in 2018 and 15 per cent in 2013. It also found that in comparison to past survey years, youth were more likely to have suffered from eating disorders and experienced sexual abuse. "We know that youth feel like their own mental health is declining," Whiteside said. On its website, Foundry says it provides "safe, non-judgmental care, information and resources, and work to reach young people earlier — before health challenges become problematic." The province says 75 per cent of serious mental-health issues emerge before the age of 25. The province said more than 17,000 people aged 12 to 24 and their families accessed Foundry services in fiscal year 2022-23, the vast majority through in-person services at centres while a smaller numbers accessed services online.

health

B.C. announces more support for youth mental health. B.C. announces more support for youth mental health The B.C. government says 10 new Foundry centres being developed in the province will give young people and their families faster and easier access to mental health and substance use services. 10 new Foundry centres are being developed, to bring the provincial total to 35 Posted: Mar 04, 2024 10:37 PM EST | Last Updated: 12 hours ago Jennifer Whiteside, B.C's minister of mental health and addictions, is pictured at the future home of the Foundry facility in Surrey, B.C. The province says 10 new Foundry centres are being developed, to bring the total to 35. (Ben Nelms/CBC) Social Sharing The British Columbia government says 10 new Foundry centres are being developed in the province that will give young people and their families faster and easier access to mental health and substance use services. Foundry is an integrated health and wellness service for people aged 12 to 24. According to a statement from the province, new centres will offer primary care, counselling, early intervention, prevention and addictions supports. The province says it has earmarked close to $75 million for Foundry expansion, with new centres coming to Burnaby, Chilliwack, Nanaimo, Port Alberni, Quesnel, Sooke-Westshore, South Surrey, Vancouver, Vanderhoof and the West Kootenays. Sixteen Foundry centres are open across the province with another nine in development. Foundry executive director Steve Mathias says they expect to have 35 centres open by 2027 in addition to virtual services. Mental Health and Addictions Minister Jennifer Whiteside made the announcement Monday at the site of a Foundry centre in Surrey that she says is expected to be operational by the end of the year. Plans for mental-health, addictions services for youth in northern B.C. get $675K boost from province Whiteside says the additional services come at a time when young people are facing greater stress and anxiety. "They've come through a global pandemic that has had a dramatic effect on their social lives, their mode of learning, their access to community, their family dynamic. And layered on top of that, we are in the midst of a climate emergency that creates its own set of anxieties for youth." Whiteside said the recently released B.C. Adolescent Health Survey paints a worrying picture of the mental health of young people. Released by the McCreary Centre Society, the survey posed questions to around 38,000 students between grades 7 and 12 in an effort to glimpse into the lives of B.C. teens. The latest edition of the survey, which has been conducted every five years for the past three decades, was released last month. It found that 24 per cent of youth had reported self-harm, up from 16 per cent in 2018 and 15 per cent in 2013. It also found that in comparison to past survey years, youth were more likely to have suffered from eating disorders and experienced sexual abuse. "We know that youth feel like their own mental health is declining," Whiteside said. On its website, Foundry says it provides "safe, non-judgmental care, information and resources, and work to reach young people earlier — before health challenges become problematic." The province says 75 per cent of serious mental-health issues emerge before the age of 25. The province said more than 17,000 people aged 12 to 24 and their families accessed Foundry services in fiscal year 2022-23, the vast majority through in-person services at centres while a smaller numbers accessed services online.

Korean Financial Authorities Address Concerns Over Mass Crypto Delisting

The Financial Supervisory Service (FSS) of Korea has addressed concerns about the rumored mass altcoin delistings , clarifying its limited involvement. According to the latest report by EBN , the FSS stressed that it does not directly oversee the review of virtual asset listings. The financial authorities contributed to the listing standard but not the direct reviewing process. Delisting Rumors Cause Panic Selling in South Korea The new Virtual Asset User Protection Act, set to take effect in July, has triggered fears among investors. According to Daehan Kyungjae, regulators will begin reviewing transaction support for about 600 coins on virtual asset exchanges starting next month. The Act, which will come into force on July 19, mandates that fiat KRW-trading platforms like Upbit , Bithumb, Coinone, Korbit, and Gopax adhere to its rules. As a result, investors have begun panic selling, driven by concerns that many altcoins may be delisted. The report indicated that approximately 16 altcoins were rumored to be at risk of delisting from the won-based listing market by next June. This speculation led to a sharp decline in value, with about half of the coins listed on Upbit’s won market dropping by 10-20%. FSS Not Directly Involved in Listing Reviews The Virtual Asset Supervision Department of the FSS stated, “The content mentioned is auxiliary material submitted to the National Assembly when the Virtual Asset Law was legislated.” “At that time, there was content in the National Assembly asking the Financial Supervisory Service to assist in establishing a unified listing standard for exchanges,” the authority added. They continued, “The financial authorities inspect virtual asset operators, not directly conduct reviews of the products. There was a demand to assist when creating best practices, which we participated in, but the announcement will be made by the exchanges and DAXA.” An official from a domestic won-based exchange mentioned that the trading support best practices are intended to integrate the review standards previously conducted by each exchange into a unified framework. The official also suggested that the likelihood of mass delistings leading to consumer harm is minimal. They emphasized that the new practices are not expected to cause significant disruptions for investors. The post Korean Financial Authorities Address Concerns Over Mass Crypto Delisting appeared first on Cryptonews .

crypto

Korean Financial Authorities Address Concerns Over Mass Crypto Delisting. The Financial Supervisory Service (FSS) of Korea has addressed concerns about the rumored mass altcoin delistings , clarifying its limited involvement. According to the latest report by EBN , the FSS stressed that it does not directly oversee the review of virtual asset listings. The financial authorities contributed to the listing standard but not the direct reviewing process. Delisting Rumors Cause Panic Selling in South Korea The new Virtual Asset User Protection Act, set to take effect in July, has triggered fears among investors. According to Daehan Kyungjae, regulators will begin reviewing transaction support for about 600 coins on virtual asset exchanges starting next month. The Act, which will come into force on July 19, mandates that fiat KRW-trading platforms like Upbit , Bithumb, Coinone, Korbit, and Gopax adhere to its rules. As a result, investors have begun panic selling, driven by concerns that many altcoins may be delisted. The report indicated that approximately 16 altcoins were rumored to be at risk of delisting from the won-based listing market by next June. This speculation led to a sharp decline in value, with about half of the coins listed on Upbit’s won market dropping by 10-20%. FSS Not Directly Involved in Listing Reviews The Virtual Asset Supervision Department of the FSS stated, “The content mentioned is auxiliary material submitted to the National Assembly when the Virtual Asset Law was legislated.” “At that time, there was content in the National Assembly asking the Financial Supervisory Service to assist in establishing a unified listing standard for exchanges,” the authority added. They continued, “The financial authorities inspect virtual asset operators, not directly conduct reviews of the products. There was a demand to assist when creating best practices, which we participated in, but the announcement will be made by the exchanges and DAXA.” An official from a domestic won-based exchange mentioned that the trading support best practices are intended to integrate the review standards previously conducted by each exchange into a unified framework. The official also suggested that the likelihood of mass delistings leading to consumer harm is minimal. They emphasized that the new practices are not expected to cause significant disruptions for investors. The post Korean Financial Authorities Address Concerns Over Mass Crypto Delisting appeared first on Cryptonews .

Australia’s ASX set to launch country’s first spot Bitcoin ETF

reports, the first Bitcoin ETF to debut on Australia's primary stock market is the VanEck Bitcoin ETF. This spot ETF allows investors to gain exposure to Bitcoin through a regulated, transparent, and well-established investment vehicle. Ever since the Gary Gensler-led Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) greenlighted the U.S.'s first spot Bitcoin ETF in January, other regions have been scampering to join the bandwagon. The launch of the VanEck Bitcoin ETF in Australia is anticipated to attract substantial capital inflows from the country's sizable pension fund market as investors seek to diversify portfolios with exposure to digital assets. Globally, the listing of Bitcoin ETFs is gaining momentum as jurisdictions like Hong Kong and Australia have shown interest in adopting similar products. Sydney-based BetaShares Holdings Pty and DigitalX Ltd. are preparing to list on the main Australian board, following initial listings on CBOE Australia. While these early ventures had varied success, expectations are growing that the trend will gain traction due to the exchange's higher visibility and the recent surge in Bitcoin's value. Hong Kong also approved its initial batch of crypto-related spot ETFs last April, positioning itself as a potential digital asset leader. The approval of the VanEck Bitcoin ETF aligns with proposed legislation from Australia's ruling party to regulate crypto custody, decentralized autonomous organizations (DAOs), crypto taxation, and licensing of digital asset service providers. This regulatory framework is anticipated to foster a stable and clear environment conducive to the continued growth of the cryptocurrency market in Australia. You might also like: Indonesia and Australia sign agreement on crypto taxation Australia tightens crypto tax compliance measures In related news, the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) has initiated a broad effort to enhance tax compliance within the cryptocurrency sector by requesting personal and transaction data from crypto exchanges, covering up to 1.2 million user accounts. This move is part of the ATO's strategy to combat potential tax evasion in the rapidly expanding cryptocurrency market. The ATO aims to identify traders who may have underreported their crypto-related activities, such as converting digital assets into fiat currency or using them for transactions. According to the ATO's notice, the data sought includes a comprehensive range of personal details from users, including names, addresses, dates of birth, phone numbers, and social media profiles. Additionally, the tax authority is requesting transaction specifics such as bank accounts, wallet addresses, and details of the cryptocurrencies traded. To mitigate financial risks and shield its populace from gambling-related issues, the Australian government has implemented a prohibition on the use of credit cards and cryptocurrencies for online betting. This measure, effective as of June 11, seeks to prevent individuals from gambling with borrowed funds or using digital currencies, thus promoting responsible gambling practices nationwide. At the time of writing, Bitcoin (BTC) is exchanging hands for $66,177, representing a 4.6% decline on the weekly timeframe, according to CoinGecko data.

crypto

Australia’s ASX set to launch country’s first spot Bitcoin ETF. reports, the first Bitcoin ETF to debut on Australia's primary stock market is the VanEck Bitcoin ETF. This spot ETF allows investors to gain exposure to Bitcoin through a regulated, transparent, and well-established investment vehicle. Ever since the Gary Gensler-led Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) greenlighted the U.S.'s first spot Bitcoin ETF in January, other regions have been scampering to join the bandwagon. The launch of the VanEck Bitcoin ETF in Australia is anticipated to attract substantial capital inflows from the country's sizable pension fund market as investors seek to diversify portfolios with exposure to digital assets. Globally, the listing of Bitcoin ETFs is gaining momentum as jurisdictions like Hong Kong and Australia have shown interest in adopting similar products. Sydney-based BetaShares Holdings Pty and DigitalX Ltd. are preparing to list on the main Australian board, following initial listings on CBOE Australia. While these early ventures had varied success, expectations are growing that the trend will gain traction due to the exchange's higher visibility and the recent surge in Bitcoin's value. Hong Kong also approved its initial batch of crypto-related spot ETFs last April, positioning itself as a potential digital asset leader. The approval of the VanEck Bitcoin ETF aligns with proposed legislation from Australia's ruling party to regulate crypto custody, decentralized autonomous organizations (DAOs), crypto taxation, and licensing of digital asset service providers. This regulatory framework is anticipated to foster a stable and clear environment conducive to the continued growth of the cryptocurrency market in Australia. You might also like: Indonesia and Australia sign agreement on crypto taxation Australia tightens crypto tax compliance measures In related news, the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) has initiated a broad effort to enhance tax compliance within the cryptocurrency sector by requesting personal and transaction data from crypto exchanges, covering up to 1.2 million user accounts. This move is part of the ATO's strategy to combat potential tax evasion in the rapidly expanding cryptocurrency market. The ATO aims to identify traders who may have underreported their crypto-related activities, such as converting digital assets into fiat currency or using them for transactions. According to the ATO's notice, the data sought includes a comprehensive range of personal details from users, including names, addresses, dates of birth, phone numbers, and social media profiles. Additionally, the tax authority is requesting transaction specifics such as bank accounts, wallet addresses, and details of the cryptocurrencies traded. To mitigate financial risks and shield its populace from gambling-related issues, the Australian government has implemented a prohibition on the use of credit cards and cryptocurrencies for online betting. This measure, effective as of June 11, seeks to prevent individuals from gambling with borrowed funds or using digital currencies, thus promoting responsible gambling practices nationwide. At the time of writing, Bitcoin (BTC) is exchanging hands for $66,177, representing a 4.6% decline on the weekly timeframe, according to CoinGecko data.

Half a million people in Toronto don't have a family doctor, college says

Half a million people in Toronto don't have a family doctor, college says Many family doctors are expected to retire in the coming years and there aren't enough doctors choosing family medicine to replace them and keep up with population growth, says the Ontario College of Family Physicians. Ontario College of Family Physicians says number could reach nearly 1 million by 2026 Posted: Mar 05, 2024 2:13 PM EST | Last Updated: 5 hours ago The Ontario College for Family Physicians says many family doctors are expected to retire in the coming years and there aren't enough doctors choosing family medicine to replace them. (David Donnelly/CBC) More than half a million people living in Toronto don't have a family doctor, the Ontario College of Family Physicians said on Tuesday. That number could reach nearly one million by 2026, it forecasted. "Family medicine is under enormous strain right now due to system-wide issues. However, we believe it's possible to turn this crisis around and let family doctors get back to what they most want, which is to be there for their patients," Dr. Mekalai Kumanan, president of the college, said in a news release. Many family doctors are expected to retire in the coming years and there aren't enough doctors choosing family medicine to replace them and keep up with population growth, the release said. Some family doctors are also leaving the profession because they have an overwhelming amount of administrative work and don't practise medicine in a multidisciplinary team environment with other health-care professionals to support patient care, it said. Across the province, 2.3 million people don't have a family doctor, it said, predicting that could grow to 4.4 million patients by 2026. Time to 'act urgently,' says college president The college called on the Ontario government to retain more family doctors by upgrading outdated administrative systems, investing in more comprehensive team-based care for patients and ensuring fair compensation that keeps up with inflation. "There have been some positive signals from government, such as recent funding for some teams and a commitment to address the admin burden," said Kumanan. "But it's time for Ontario to act urgently and provide family doctors with the support they need to continue caring for Ontarians." Hannah Jensen, spokesperson for provincial Health Minister Sylvia Jones, pointed to an announcement on Feb. 1 pledging "the largest expansion of interprofessional primary care teams since they were established in Ontario." "We are investing $110 million, triple the original amount set out in our 23/24 budget to create and expand 78 primary care teams, that will ensure 98 per cent of Ontarians are connected to a primary care provider over the next several years," Jensen said in an email. Family doctor shortage affects every region and is getting worse, Ontario Medical Association says Pandemic spurred exodus of Ontario family doctors, study indicates The provincial government has also launched initiatives to help reduce both the administrative burden on physicians and the risk of delays for patients, she said. Those include replacing the use of fax machines in health care with digital communications for things like referrals and prescriptions, Jensen said.

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Half a million people in Toronto don't have a family doctor, college says. Half a million people in Toronto don't have a family doctor, college says Many family doctors are expected to retire in the coming years and there aren't enough doctors choosing family medicine to replace them and keep up with population growth, says the Ontario College of Family Physicians. Ontario College of Family Physicians says number could reach nearly 1 million by 2026 Posted: Mar 05, 2024 2:13 PM EST | Last Updated: 5 hours ago The Ontario College for Family Physicians says many family doctors are expected to retire in the coming years and there aren't enough doctors choosing family medicine to replace them. (David Donnelly/CBC) More than half a million people living in Toronto don't have a family doctor, the Ontario College of Family Physicians said on Tuesday. That number could reach nearly one million by 2026, it forecasted. "Family medicine is under enormous strain right now due to system-wide issues. However, we believe it's possible to turn this crisis around and let family doctors get back to what they most want, which is to be there for their patients," Dr. Mekalai Kumanan, president of the college, said in a news release. Many family doctors are expected to retire in the coming years and there aren't enough doctors choosing family medicine to replace them and keep up with population growth, the release said. Some family doctors are also leaving the profession because they have an overwhelming amount of administrative work and don't practise medicine in a multidisciplinary team environment with other health-care professionals to support patient care, it said. Across the province, 2.3 million people don't have a family doctor, it said, predicting that could grow to 4.4 million patients by 2026. Time to 'act urgently,' says college president The college called on the Ontario government to retain more family doctors by upgrading outdated administrative systems, investing in more comprehensive team-based care for patients and ensuring fair compensation that keeps up with inflation. "There have been some positive signals from government, such as recent funding for some teams and a commitment to address the admin burden," said Kumanan. "But it's time for Ontario to act urgently and provide family doctors with the support they need to continue caring for Ontarians." Hannah Jensen, spokesperson for provincial Health Minister Sylvia Jones, pointed to an announcement on Feb. 1 pledging "the largest expansion of interprofessional primary care teams since they were established in Ontario." "We are investing $110 million, triple the original amount set out in our 23/24 budget to create and expand 78 primary care teams, that will ensure 98 per cent of Ontarians are connected to a primary care provider over the next several years," Jensen said in an email. Family doctor shortage affects every region and is getting worse, Ontario Medical Association says Pandemic spurred exodus of Ontario family doctors, study indicates The provincial government has also launched initiatives to help reduce both the administrative burden on physicians and the risk of delays for patients, she said. Those include replacing the use of fax machines in health care with digital communications for things like referrals and prescriptions, Jensen said.

Final chapter for library in working phone box

Villagers who transformed a working telephone box into a miniature library have been told to remove the books. The titchy library in North Thoresby, between Louth and Grimbsy, offered people a range of books to take home to read. However, a notice from BT, posted on the phone box on Monday, requested the literature be removed.

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Final chapter for library in working phone box. Villagers who transformed a working telephone box into a miniature library have been told to remove the books. The titchy library in North Thoresby, between Louth and Grimbsy, offered people a range of books to take home to read. However, a notice from BT, posted on the phone box on Monday, requested the literature be removed.