Source: US State of Connecticut
If you’re pregnant, is it okay to exercise and if so, how strenuous can your workout be? Dr. Nicole Gavin, high risk pregnancy specialist at UConn Health, continued running throughout her three pregnancies and offers some advice for other mothers.
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Source: Royal Canadian Mounted Police
On May 10, 2025, Faust RCMP were investigating multiple stolen vehicles when one was located by RCMP members out on patrol. A traffic stop was attempted, but the vehicle fled to the area of Joussard, Alta, after attempting to ram several police vehicles and run others off the road. High Prairie RCMP as well as Grande Prairie Police Dog services were called in to assist, but the suspects were not located.
On May 12, 2025, Faust RCMP received information regarding the location of the suspects, who were barricaded in a residence in Driftpile Cree Nation, Alta. Faust RCMP and Lakeshore Regional Police surrounded the residence and were able to talk one suspect out of the residence before entering to arrest the second.
As a result of the investigation, a 29-year-old individual, of no fixed address, and a 22-year-old individual, a resident of Driftpile Cree Nation, were charged with:
Furthermore, the 29-year-old individual was charged with possession of a weapon while prohibited.
Both individuals were brought before a justice of the peace. The 22-year-old individual was released on conditions while the 29-year-old individual was remanded into custody. The 22-year-old individual is to appear before the Alberta Court of Justice in High Prairie, Alta. on June 2, 2025 while the 29-year-old individual will appear before the Alberta Court of Justice in Edmonton on May 14, 2025.
“We would like to thank the members of the public who allowed us to conduct out investigation safely by following the safety guidelines we provided” said Cst. Tyler Bell of the Faust RCMP Detachment. “Faust RCMP and Lakeshore Regional Police Service work strongly together to provide the best services to our communities in order to keep our communities safe.”
If you have any information pertaining to any criminal or suspicious activity please contact Faust RCMP at 780-355-3670. If you wish to remain anonymous, you can contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS), online at www.P3Tips.com or by using the “P3 Tips” app. To report crime online, or for access to RCMP news and information, download the Alberta RCMP app through Apple or Google Play.
Source: US FBI
HOUSTON – A 71-year-old woman has admitted to acting as a loan borrower on millions of dollars in fraudulent loans as part of a large-scale bank fraud scheme, announced U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei.
Jennifer Williams admitted that from 2016 to 2021, she conspired with others in a bank fraud scheme involving dozens of loans totaling at least $10 million in fraudulent proceeds.
As part of the plea, Williams acknowledged submitting loan applications with false income information along with fraudulent tax returns and financial statements. She also admitted using proceeds from the scheme to buy a home in the Houston area.
Williams and others accomplished the bank fraud by preparing loan applications that contained false and fraudulent information and documents, including fake equipment sales invoices, income tax returns and financial and bank statements.
U.S. District Judge Keith Ellison will impose sentencing Aug. 14. At that time, Williams faces up to five years in federal prison and a possible $250,000 fine or twice the amount involved in the transaction.
She was permitted to remain on bond pending that hearing.
Another Houston resident charged in the case – Hugo Villanueva, 70, – is considered a fugitive, and a warrant remains outstanding for his arrest. Anyone with information about his whereabouts is asked to contact the FBI at 713-693-5000.
The Federal Housing Finance Agency – Office of Inspector General (OIG), IRS Criminal Investigation, FBI and Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation – OIG conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Belinda Beek is prosecuting the case.
Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)
NEW PORT RICHEY, Fla., June 02, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — PGD Eco Solutions, Inc. (OTC: PGDE), an emerging public company, announces a corporate name change to Intelithrive, Inc. (“Company”), reflecting its strategic pivot to becoming a next-generation incubator focused on artificial intelligence (AI), software-as-a-service (SaaS), and digital innovation.
As part of this transformation, the Company has officially launched its new corporate website at www.intelithrive.com and appointed two key executives to lead the company into its next phase of growth.
Strategic Rebrand Reflects AI and SaaS Incubation Focus
The new name, Intelithrive, Inc. represents the Company’s evolution from its legacy operations in environmental solutions to a bold, forward-looking mission of accelerating innovation through incubation, investment, and operational support. The Company aims to launch, acquire, and nurture AI-powered startups in sectors including fintech, predictive analytics, consumer platforms, and decentralized technologies.
Website Launch
The newly unveiled website, www.intelithrive.com, offers insight into the company’s strategic direction, portfolio ambitions, and brand identity. It also serves as a hub for investors, partners, and entrepreneurs interested in collaborating with Intelithrive.
“Intelithrive marks a new chapter as we build a platform that empowers disruptive ideas to thrive,” said the CEO. “With a sharper focus and stronger team, we’re excited to drive shareholder value through innovation.”
About Intelithrive
Intelithrive Inc. (formerly PGD Eco Solutions Inc.) is a public company headquartered in New Port Richey, Florida, dedicated to launching and scaling disruptive startups at the intersection of artificial intelligence, software, and digital innovation. Through a proprietary incubation model, the company identifies high-potential ideas and accelerates their development through capital, technology, and leadership support – www.intelithrive.com.
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENT:
Forward-Looking Statements: This press release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Except for historical matters contained herein, this press release’s statements are forward-looking. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, words such as “may”, “will”, “to”, “plan”, “expect”, “believe”, “anticipate”, “intend”, “could”, “would”, “estimate,” or “continue”, or the negative other variations thereof or comparable terminology are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors which may cause our actual results, performance, or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance, or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Also, forward-looking statements represent our management’s beliefs and assumptions only as of the date hereof. Additional information regarding the factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from these forward-looking statements is available in the Company’s filings with OTC Markets. Except as required by law, we assume no obligation to update these forward-looking statements publicly or to update the reasons actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements, even if new information becomes available in the future.
For further information, please visit www.intelithrive.com or contact:
Investor Relations
Paul Ogorek, CEO
Email: info@intelithrive.com
Phone: +1 (800) 555-0199
www.intelithrive.com
A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/6ee22e60-7140-48f1-9c54-537bd6089add
Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)
Las Vegas, NV, June 02, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Introduction: The Search for a Crypto Casino on Reddit
The crypto gambling landscape has exploded in recent years. As more users embrace decentralized currencies and seek anonymity, traditional online casinos are being challenged by agile crypto-native platforms. Within this transformation, Reddit has emerged as the go-to source for real, unfiltered opinions from experienced gamblers. Forums like r/gambling, r/cryptocurrency, and r/sportsbetting regularly feature debates over the best crypto casino Reddit users recommend.
Among the noise, Winna has consistently surfaced as a top-tier recommendation by Redditors who prioritize fast transactions, transparency, community engagement, and provably fair games. One Reddit post in particular, hosted on r/NSEbets, has become a hub for users comparing experiences and highlighting Winna’s superiority.
This article will explore why Winna is the best crypto casino according to Reddit, how it compares to competitors, and why that Reddit thread is such a crucial source of insight.
1. Why Crypto Casinos Are Gaining Popularity on Reddit
Reddit is one of the most active spaces where online gamblers discuss experiences with different casinos, from payout reliability to customer support. Several factors contribute to the rise of crypto casinos in these discussions:
These features resonate strongly with the Reddit user base—typically tech-savvy, privacy-aware, and critical of traditional institutions. It’s no surprise then that the phrase “best crypto casino Reddit” has become a key search term.
2. How Reddit Determines the Best Crypto Casino
Redditors don’t hand out praise easily. Casinos must earn it through verifiable, consistent, and community-approved behavior. When evaluating a casino like Winna, Reddit users focus on:
The Reddit thread on r/NSEbets has become a cornerstone of this vetting process, with dozens of comments pointing out real-world experiences, withdrawal proof, and feature comparisons.
3. Why Winna Consistently Ranks as the Best Crypto Casino Reddit Users Recommend
3.1 Lightning-Fast Withdrawals
One of the most frequently cited reasons Redditors love Winna is its withdrawal speed. Unlike legacy platforms that can take 24-72 hours, Winna processes crypto withdrawals in under 15 minutes in most cases. Several users in the Thread posted transaction hashes and timestamps as proof.
3.2 Transparent, Low House Edge
Many crypto casinos hide behind flashy UIs but offer poor RTP (Return to Player) metrics. Winna openly publishes house edge statistics for all games. The fairness of each spin, roll, or deal is provably verifiable on-chain.
3.3 Trust Through Community Interaction
Redditors have praised Winna for actively responding to user feedback across multiple subreddits. This is unusual in the crypto gambling space, where most platforms operate in the shadows. Winna has gone so far as to sponsor AMAs (Ask Me Anything) and resolve disputes publicly.
3.4 Deep Crypto Integration
From Bitcoin to Ethereum, Litecoin to USDT, Winna supports a wide range of cryptocurrencies. Wallet integration is seamless, and deposits are usually credited within a few confirmations.
3.5 Excellent Game Selection
Unlike smaller crypto casinos that rely on a handful of games, Winna boasts:
These options, combined with low latency and mobile optimization, create an ecosystem Redditors frequently compare favorably to giants like Stake and Roobet.
4. Real Reddit Endorsements: Not Just Hype
A significant part of Winna’s reputation stems from actual Reddit user reviews, rather than affiliate marketing or SEO manipulation. Here are some paraphrased excerpts from the r/NSEbets thread and other Reddit discussions:
“I was skeptical at first but after a 3 ETH win, got the money in my wallet in 10 mins. No KYC. Winna is legit.”
“Winna is the first crypto casino that actually felt like it respected my time and money.”
“Their provably fair blackjack is the only one I trust after being burned on other platforms.”
These are not paid testimonials but organic, unsolicited feedback from Reddit’s highly discerning community. That gives Winna credibility that paid ads and influencer campaigns can’t buy.
5. Comparing Winna to Other “Best Crypto Casinos” on Reddit
Let’s look at how Winna stacks up against some other frequently mentioned platforms:
| Feature | Winna | Stake | Roobet | BC.Game | Rollbit |
| Fast Crypto Withdrawals | Yes | Sometimes | Yes | Varies | Varies |
| Provably Fair | Yes | Yes | Limited | Yes | Yes |
| Active Reddit Presence | Yes | Minimal | Minimal | Minimal | Moderate |
| Anonymous Play | Yes | Partial | Partial | No | No |
| House Edge Transparency | Yes | Partial | No | Partial | No |
Redditors in the r/NSEbets thread specifically cite these differentiators as proof that Winna is not just another me-too casino.
6. Importance of the Reddit Thread as a Primary Source
Why highlight a specific Reddit thread? Because it provides a living, evolving body of evidence. Unlike static review sites, Reddit threads feature real-time updates, rebuttals, clarifications, and new testimonials. The r/NSEbets thread is:
For any serious gambler doing due diligence, this Reddit thread is a must-read source. It functions as both a review aggregator and real-time trust signal for Winna.
7. Cautions and Considerations
No platform is perfect. While Winna is currently Reddit’s top pick, users should always exercise caution:
That said, the community policing on Reddit means scams and issues are flagged fast—another reason to bookmark the Reddit Thread.
Conclusion: Why Winna Dominates the “Best Crypto Casino Reddit” Debate
Reddit doesn’t suffer fools lightly. That’s why Winna’s widespread acclaim across r/gambling, r/cryptocurrency, r/sportsbetting, and especially r/NSEbets is so telling.
From blazing-fast withdrawals to community trust and provably fair gaming, Winna checks every box that matters to serious crypto gamblers. For anyone searching Google for “best crypto casino Reddit”, this article—and the Reddit thread it highlights—provides not just opinion, but evidence.
Don’t take this article at face value. Visit the Reddit thread. See the proof. Ask questions. Then try Winna yourself.
Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)
NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION IN THE UNITED STATES.
FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH THIS RESTRICTION MAY CONSTITUTE A VIOLATION OF UNITED STATES SECURITIES LAW
CALGARY, Alberta, June 02, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Unless otherwise stated, all numbers in this press release are presented in Canadian dollars. Alaris Equity Partners Income Trust (“Alaris” or the “Trust“) (TSX: AD.UN) is pleased to announce that it has completed its previously announced offering of convertible unsecured senior debentures (“Debentures“) with a syndicate of underwriters (the “Underwriters“) led by National Bank Financial, CIBC Capital Markets and Desjardins Capital Markets, and including Acumen Capital Partners, Raymond James Ltd., RBC Capital Markets, Scotiabank, and Cormark Securities Inc. A total of $80 million aggregate principal amount of Debentures were issued at a price of $1,000 per Debenture (the “Offering“). The Trust has also granted the Underwriters an option to purchase up to an additional $12,000,000 aggregate principal amount of Debentures, on the same terms and conditions, exercisable in whole or in part, from time to time, up to 30 days following the closing of the Offering.
The Debentures will bear interest at a rate of 6.50% per annum, payable semi-annually in arrears on June 30 and December 31 of each year commencing on December 31, 2025. The first payment will include accrued and unpaid interest for the period from closing to, but excluding, December 31, 2025. The Debentures will mature on June 30, 2030. The Debentures will commence trading today on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol “AD.DB.B”.
The Trust intends to use the net proceeds of the Offering to partially repay outstanding indebtedness under Alaris’ subsidiary’s senior debt facility which may be subsequently redrawn and used to fund future investments in new Partner (as defined below) investments or general trust purposes.
The Shipyard Follow-On
On May 14, 2025, Alaris closed a US$21.5 million follow-on investment into The Shipyard LLC (“The Shipyard“) in exchange for additional preferred equity in The Shipyard, which entitles Alaris to an additional annualized distribution of US$3.01 million (the “Shipyard Distribution“). The Shipyard used the proceeds of the additional investment to fund the purchase price of an acquisition.
ABOUT ALARIS
The Trust, through its subsidiaries, invests in a diversified group of private businesses (“Partners“) primarily through structured equity. The primary goal of our structured equity investments is to deliver stable and predictable returns to our unitholders through both cash distributions and capital appreciation. This strategy is enhanced by common equity positions, which allow us to generate returns in alignment with the founders of our Partners.
This news release is not an offer of securities of Alaris for sale in the United States. The Debentures have not been and will not be registered under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the Debentures may not be offered or sold in the United States except pursuant to an applicable exemption from such registration. No public offering of securities is being made in the United States. This news release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy nor shall there be any sale of the securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful.
FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS
This news release contains forward-looking statements, including forward-looking statements within the meaning of “safe harbor” provisions under applicable securities laws (“forward-looking statements“). Statements other than statements of historical fact contained in this news release may be forward-looking statements including, without limitation, management’s expectations, intentions and beliefs concerning: the use of proceeds of the Offering, the use of the senior debt facility and the Shipyard Distribution. Many of these statements can be identified by words such as “believe”, “expects”, “will”, “intends”, “projects”, “anticipates”, “estimates”, “continues” or similar words or the negative thereof. There can be no assurance that the plans, intentions or expectations on which these forward-looking statements are based will occur.
By their nature, forward-looking statements require Alaris to make assumptions and are subject to inherent risks and uncertainties. Key assumptions include, but are not limited to, assumptions that: Alaris will use the net proceeds from the Offering in the manner described herein, that the Debentures will trade on the TSX consistent with as described herein and that Alaris will receive annual distributions from The Shipyard as set forth herein.
Forward-looking statements are subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions and should not be read as guarantees or assurances of future performance. The actual results of the Trust and the Partners could materially differ from those anticipated in the forward-looking statements contained herein as a result of certain risk factors, including, but not limited to: the use of proceeds from the Offering in a manner that differs than as set forth herein, the ability of The Shipyard to pay distributions and that the listing of the Debentures will not occur in the timeframes set out herein. Additional risks that may cause actual results to vary from those indicated are discussed under the heading “Risk Factors” and “Forward Looking Statements” in the Trust’s Management Discussion and Analysis for the year ended December 31, 2024, which is filed under the Trust’s profile at www.sedarplus.ca and on its website at www.alarisequitypartners.com.
Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking information contained in this news release as a number of factors could cause actual future results, conditions, actions or events to differ materially from the targets, expectations, estimates or intentions expressed in the forward-looking statements. Statements containing forward-looking information reflect management’s current beliefs and assumptions based on information in its possession on the date of this news release. Although management believes that the assumptions reflected in the forward-looking statements contained herein are reasonable, there can be no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct.
The forward-looking statements contained herein are expressly qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement. The forward-looking statements included in this news release are made as of the date of this news release and Alaris does not undertake or assume any obligation to update or revise such statements to reflect new events or circumstances except as expressly required by applicable securities legislation.
Neither the TSX nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
For further information please contact:
ir@alarisequity.com
P: (403) 260-1457
Alaris Equity Partners Income Trust
Suite 250, 333 24th Avenue S.W.
Calgary, Alberta T2S 3E6
www.alarisequitypartners.com
Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)
Nykredit Portefølje Administration A/S har anmodet Nasdaq Copenhagen om suspension af alle afdelinger, som administreres af Nykredit Portefølje Administration A/S. Det skyldes, at det grundet tekniske udfordringer ikke er muligt at stille korrekt NAV.
Suspensionen vil blive ophævet, når det igen er muligt at stille korrekte priser.
Følgende afdelinger er omfattet af suspensionen:
| Fund Name | ISIN | Order Book Code |
| Ansvarlig Defensiv | DK0061671013 | NBIBDKL |
| Ansvarlig Moderat | DK0061671286 | NBIBMKL |
| Ansvarlig Offensiv | DK0061671369 | NBIBOKL |
| Defensiv KL | DK0016188733 | NBIDEKL |
| Moderat KL | DK0016188816 | NBIMOKL |
| Offensiv KL | DK0060441749 | NBIOFKL |
Eventuelle spørgsmål vedrørende denne meddelelse kan rettes til npa.pm@nykredit.dk eller Head of Portfolio Management & Operations, Christian Rye Holm CRH@nykredit.dk.
Med venlig hilsen
Nykredit Portefølje Administration A/S
Tage Fabrin-Brasted
Source: Government of India
Source: Government of India (4)
Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science & Technology, Dr. Jitendra Singh, unveiled ‘BharatGen,’ India’s first indigenously developed, government-funded, multimodal Large Language Model (LLM) designed for Indian languages, at the BharatGen Summit on Monday. Held as India’s largest Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) and LLM summit and hackathon, the event marked a milestone in India’s journey toward inclusive and ethical AI innovation.
Developed under the National Mission on Interdisciplinary Cyber-Physical Systems (NM-ICPS) and led by the TIH Foundation for IoT and IoE at IIT Bombay, BharatGen integrates text, speech, and image modalities to deliver AI solutions in 22 Indian languages. Supported by the Department of Science and Technology (DST), the initiative collaborates with leading academic institutions and innovators to create AI that is “ethical, inclusive, multilingual, and deeply rooted in Indian values and ethos,” as described by Dr. Singh.
Speaking at the summit, Dr. Singh emphasized BharatGen’s potential to transform sectors like healthcare, education, agriculture, and governance by providing region-specific AI solutions. Highlighting a success story from his constituency, he shared how AI-powered telemedicine, with doctors communicating in patients’ native languages, has revolutionized healthcare in remote villages. “This builds trust and has a placebo-like psychological effect, connecting remote regions with superspeciality hospitals,” he said.
Dr. Singh aligned BharatGen with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of “India’s Techade,” emphasizing innovation for inclusion. He cited India’s AI-driven grievance redressal system, CPGRAMS, as a global benchmark studied by several countries. The minister also underscored the role of the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (NRF) in boosting India’s R&D ecosystem and highlighted flagship schemes like PM MUDRA Yojana, PM SVANidhi, and PM Vishwakarma Yojana, which empower micro-entrepreneurs, artisans, and street vendors.
The National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 was lauded for fostering interdisciplinary learning, enabling students to blend humanities and technology for enhanced employability and innovation. Dr. Singh also celebrated the rise of over 3,000 Agri-tech startups, including lavender cultivation in Jammu & Kashmir, as proof of innovation thriving beyond urban IT hubs.
The summit saw the launch of the Generative AI Hackathon 2025, aimed at engaging student innovators to solve real-world challenges through AI. BharatGen’s execution involves 25 Technology Innovation Hubs (TIHs), with four upgraded to Technology Translational Research Parks (TTRPs), focusing on technology development, entrepreneurship, human resource development, and international collaboration. A significant MoU exchange ceremony further strengthened ties across government departments and research hubs.
Source: Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe – OSCE
Headline: OSCE and Thailand mark 25 years of partnership with focus on combatting online scams
Ambassador Natasha Meli Daudey of Malta and Ambassador Pattarat Hongtong of Thailand, Vienna, 2 June 2006 (OSCE/Ghada Hazim) Photo details
The OSCE and the Kingdom of Thailand marked the 25th anniversary of their partnership with a special workshop and a meeting of the OSCE Asian Partners for Co-operation Group, held in Vienna on 30 May and 2 June 2025. Hosted as part of Malta’s Chairpersonship of the OSCE Asian Partners for Co-operation Group, the two events brought together senior government officials, cybercrime and trafficking experts, law enforcement authorities and private sector representatives to address the growing global threat of online scams.
OSCE participating States and Asian Partners gathered to share experiences and best practices in detecting, investigating, and disrupting digital fraud, as well as identifying the victims of trafficking involved in online scams operations.
“With its comprehensive approach to security, the OSCE is uniquely positioned to help develop co-ordinated, human-centred responses to this growing challenge,” said Ambassador Natasha Meli Daudey of Malta.
Discussions addressed the complexity of the scam ecosystem, from blockchain-enabled money laundering to the exploitative methods used by criminal groups. Thailand presented its national strategy, which includes AI-based detection tools, a centralized Anti-Online Scam Operation Center (AOC), and multi-agency co-ordination.
“Our national experience demonstrates that robust inter-agency co-ordination and strong international partnerships are crucial in dismantling these sophisticated criminal networks,” noted Professor Wisit Wisitsora-at, Permanent Secretary at Thailand’s Ministry of Digital Economy and Society.
Thai Ambassador Pattarat Hongtong further shared details on the work of the ASEAN Working Group on Anti-Online Scam, which Thailand initiated in February 2024, as a platform for information sharing, capacity building, and co-ordinated enforcement at the regional level.
Participants also examined ways to bridge policy gaps, enhancing digital and financial literacy to prevent victimization, and promoting public-private partnerships that engage digital platforms and financial actors—including the cryptocurrency sector. Experts called for harmonized regulatory frameworks to mitigate virtual assets risks, enhanced cross-border police and judicial collaboration, and capacity building for criminal justice practitioners.
With online scams resulting in over $1 trillion in reported global losses in 2023 alone, participants reaffirmed their commitment to collaborative, forward-looking responses that prioritize prevention, victim protection, and international co-operation to tackle an increasingly sophisticated form of transnational crime with high human and financial costs.
Source: Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe – OSCE
Headline: Poland’s presidential run-off well run and intensely contested amid increased polarization, including in media and online, international observers say
Poland’s presidential run-off well run and intensely contested amid increased polarization, including in media and online, international observers say | OSCE
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Source: Government of Canada regional news
Lt.-Gov. Mike Savage will host the lieutenant-governor’s annual garden party at Government House in Halifax on Wednesday, June 18.
The theme is celebrating the 60th anniversary of the Canadian flag. Guests will have opportunities to exchange greetings with the lieutenant-governor and his wife, Ms. Darlene Savage.
“Darlene and I are delighted to invite all Nova Scotians to enjoy an afternoon of friendship and community,” said Lt.-Gov Savage. “We look forward to continuing a long-standing summer tradition that has brought people together at the ceremonial home of all Nova Scotians.”
Government House is located at 1451 Barrington St. Doors will be open from 2 to 5 p.m. The event is free and open to the public; invitations are not required.
Source: Agenzia Fides – MIL OSI
CCO/Torsade de Pointes
by Gianni ValenteVatican City (Agenzia Fides) – The most beautiful and simplest “mission program” for the Church in France is not a strategy directed to resist secularization. Nor does it consist in a “genetic engineering” operation to redistribute powers and responsibilities within ecclesial structures. It is much more useful and fruitful to seek the face of one’s own Saint, the Saints of one’s own history, every day. And to ask that God himself, with their help, renew “the wonders he has accomplished in the past”, also through them. Pope Leo XIV emphasizes this in a letter to the French bishops and “to all your faithful”, on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the Canonization of Saint John Eudes, Saint John Mary Vianney and Saint Thérèse of the Child Jesus.The Message, published today in the bulletin of the Holy See, is dated Wednesday, May 28.Close to the Heart of JesusPope Pius XI canonized the three French Saints in May 1925 (Thérèse of Lisieux on May 17th, John Mary Vianney and John Eudes on May 31st).A century later – the Bishop of Rome notes today – the “continuing relevance” of the three holy figures stands out strongly in the face of the “breadth of challenges that, a century later, present themselves to the Church in France”.In some passages of the message, Pope Prevost realistically notes that the People of God in France often walk “with courage, despite the contrary and sometimes hostile winds of indifference, materialism and individualism”. He recalls that “the lack of vocations is harshly felt in your dioceses and priests are under increasing strain”.In such a context, the three Saints should not be understood as witnesses to a cultural counteroffensive, but just for “a spiritual trait that John Eudes, John Mary Vianney and Thérèse have in common and present in a very meaningful and attractive way to the men and women of today”. All three, simply, “loved Jesus unreservedly in a simple, strong and authentic way; they experienced his goodness and tenderness in a special daily closeness, and they bore witness to it in an admirable missionary drive”.All three lived and bore witness to the closeness to the Heart of Christ that even “the late Pope Francis” wanted to recall with his last encyclical Dilexit nos, the “beautiful Encyclical on the Sacred Heart”, which “he left us, rather like a testament”. And – Pope Leo suggests – “there could be no more beautiful and simple programme of evangelization and mission for your country: to help everyone discover the tender and devoted love that Jesus has for them, to the point of transforming their lives”. Like John Eudes, who was the first to celebrate the liturgical worship of the Hearts of Jesus and Mary; like John Mary Vianney, the Holy Curé of Ars, for whom “the priesthood is the love of the heart of Jesus”. Like Thérèse of Lisieux, “she who “breathed” the Name of Jesus at every moment of her life, and who taught the little ones an “easy” way to access it “.The “easy way” for the little onesCelebrating the centenary of the canonization of these three saints by Pope Ratti – underlines the Bishop of Rome – is first and foremost an invitation”to give thanks to the Lord for the marvels he has accomplished” in this land of France over long centuries of evangelization and Christian life. Saints – the Pontiff continued – do not appear spontaneously but, “by grace, emerge from living Christian communities that have been able to transmit the faith to them, to kindle in their hearts the love of Jesus and the desire to follow him”. And commemorating the Saints of France does not merely “evoke nostalgia for a past that might seem bygone”. Rather, it can become an opportunity to ask them today too “to awaken hope and give rise to a new missionary impetus”. Because “God can, with the help of the saints he has given you and whom you celebrate, renew the marvels he has accomplished in the past”. (Agenzia Fides, 31/5/2025)
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Source: Agenzia Fides – MIL OSI
Kinshasa (Agenzia Fides) – Children are the silent victims of all wars: in Gaza, Ukraine, Sudan, and in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. From Bukavu, the capital of South Kivu, currently under the control of the M23 rebel movement since mid-February (see Fides 17/2/2025), we have received a testimony that reflects the dramatic humanitarian situation in the region. Although the rebels have announced the creation of an administration to manage the conquered territories, the situation in South and North Kivu remains precarious, especially for the most vulnerable: women, children, and the elderly. We publish the full testimony, omitting the name of the person who shared it for security reasons.Sister Charline welcomes me to the ward of the Bukavu General Hospital, where, together with Sister Marie-Jeanne, she coordinates the reception and care for malnourished children. “Before the war there were about 40, now there are 84; there are even three per bed,” she tells me as she invites me into the large rooms. In one of them, a mother is dressing her eight-year-old daughter: she is about to return home. She is very thin, but has passed the critical phase. The girl says goodbye with a smile. The most serious cases are in the intensive care unit, including that of a baby abandoned in the hospital by its mother, from a combat zone. A nurse cares for him with care. The war has made it impossible to grow crops, harvest, and trade… and this, along with the looting, has caused hunger. “When we have enough adequate food, they recover in two weeks; otherwise, it takes up to two months… or they die. We try to send them home as soon as possible to make room for others, but sometimes the mothers tell us they will be short of food there again… I give them a little flour; I can’t do more,” Sister Charline adds, desolately. I go to greet Natalina. In her Ek’Abana center, she welcomes children accused of witchcraft, but also, since the war began, children entrusted to her by the Red Cross while they wait to find their families. There are about 25 in total. “Cases of girls accused of witchcraft are increasing,” Natalina says. Three have arrived this week. With their parents dead or absent, the girls lived with their grandparents or other relatives. The psychologist explains: the stress of these times, the succession of illnesses, deaths, job losses, and other problems, pushes people to seek answers in prayer rooms, where irresponsible pastors point to the most vulnerable as the cause of their ills. The girl is blamed and marginalized. Sometimes, it is the grassroots communities that accompany them to the center to save them. And what about the stress of children who flinch at every noise? Of miscarriages caused by the startle of gunshots? Of the violence the children witness at the hands of the occupiers, the bandits, the population itself when, in exasperation, they lash out at the alleged thief until they kill him? Of dropping out of school after fleeing with their families? Of the humiliation of being expelled from school because parents can no longer pay the quarterly fees? Of the shortage of daily food? As I was returning, a child asked me to buy him a pancake, which is sold cheaply on the street. “Who do you live with?” “With my grandmother.” Given the crisis, I overcame my reluctance: “Take two, one for Grandma.” “Then I’ll buy some flour,” he replied. Nothing to do with a whim. All this adds to the tally of children killed directly by bombs and violence. They are silent victims, like those in Gaza, who pay the price for a debt that is all ours.” (Agenzia Fides 2/6/2025)
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Source: Agenzia Fides – MIL OSI
Yangon (Agenzia Fides) – Extensive flooding, caused by heavy rains that lasted for about a week, has affected northern Myanmar, particularly the Sagaing region and Kachin State. The emergency further complicates the lives of the civilian population, already severely affected by four years of civil conflict. Furthermore, in the Sagaing region, the earthquake of March 28 caused damage to homes and infrastructure and displaced thousands of people. “The situation in the districts affected by natural disasters is serious. Floods have inundated the upper part of Kachin State; villages in the mountainous areas are underwater, as are refugee camps in the city of Chizaw. Many rivers, such as the Malikha, have overflowed, and agricultural lands are completely flooded due to the continuous rains,” a local source from the Catholic community in Kachin State told Fides. “Farms have been submerged in Laeshi City, in the Sagaing Region, as have villages along the banks of the Arayati river. River levels usually rise in late June or July, at the height of the rainy season, but this year the rains have arrived early, causing premature flooding. Unfortunately, this is the harvest season, so the losses are particularly severe,” the source explains. “The local population is finding it increasingly difficult to cope. They are mostly farmers who have already been affected by the war and are now also suffering the effects of natural disasters such as earthquakes and floods. Humanitarian aid is increasingly needed for thousands of displaced people, whose number continues to grow,” he adds. A new report by the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights confirms the worsening humanitarian crisis in Myanmar, fueled by military violence and economic collapse. The document, which will be presented at the next session of the UN Human Rights Council in early July, describes the situation as “increasingly catastrophic, marked by incessant atrocities that have affected all aspects of life.” According to the report, the economic crisis has had a severe impact on already disastrous humanitarian conditions. Myanmar is estimated to have lost around $94 billion since the coup to date, and its gross domestic product is not expected to return to pre-2021 levels before 2028, even if recovery were to begin today.The UN Human Rights Council calls for “a multifaceted response to the crisis,” including “urgent humanitarian support, cross-border assistance for displaced populations, and increased political commitment” from the international community. (PA) (Agenzia Fides, 2/6/2025)
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Source: Agenzia Fides – MIL OSI
Monday, 2 June 2025
Nairobi (Agenzia Fides) – The Missionary Benedictine Sisters of the Sacred Heart Priory have closed all their facilities in Kerio Valley, Kenya, following daily violence in the region. The missionary sisters announced this on social media, announcing the closure of the mission “with immediate effect” and “indefinitely”.The decision, reads the text signed by Sister Rosa Pascal OSB, Prioress of the Missionary Benedictine Sisters, was taken “following the murder of Father Alloy Bett, parish priest of St Mathias Mulumba (see Fides, 23/5/2025) and the continued unrest in the area. This has negatively affected our missionary work” causing “mental, emotional and psychological trauma to our sisters” and, consequently, “the inability to run the essential services due to the lack of staff who are fleeing the area”.Hence the decision “to close our mission stations indefinitely, until the area is safe for service”. This action, the statement states, “is meant to ensure the safety of our sisters working in the region, our employees and those who visit our mission for different services”, at the same time, to “press the government for a lasting solution to peace in the area, including dis-arming civilians”. Among the closed facilities is the Chesongoch Mission Hospital. (F.B.) (Agenzia Fides, 2/6/2025)
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Source: Agenzia Fides – MIL OSI
Beijing (Agenzia Fides) – With the inner light and hope rekindled during the month of May, dedicated to the Virgin Mary, the Catholic communities of mainland China have begun the month consecrated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and are preparing to celebrate the solemnity of Pentecost.Community pilgrimages, the making of religious vows, and the beginning of the Pentecost Novena marked the last weekend in many Chinese dioceses.Many Catholics from Beijing gathered at the Marian Shrine of Housangyu, in the district of Mentougou, for the closing of the Marian month and the opening of the month dedicated to the Sacred Heart.The solemn Eucharistic liturgy on Sunday, June 1, was presided over by the Bishop of Beijing, Joseph Li Shan, and concelebrated by Coadjutor Bishop Matteo Zhen Xuebin. The warm welcome of the local community made the day a true experience of communion.All parishes participated in the celebration from early morning until the evening. The faithful were also able to receive the sacrament of confession and participate in the pious practice of the Stations of the Cross.The parish of Nantang, like many others, began the Pentecost Novena on Saturday, May 31. Until June 8, the church will remain open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. to facilitate participation in Eucharistic adoration and allow for intense spiritual preparation for Pentecost, renewing the invocation of the Holy Spirit to console and comfort souls, rekindling the faith of all.On Friday, May 30, Joseph Tong Changping, Bishop of the Diocese of Weinan/Tongzhou (Shaanxi Province), inaugurated and consecrated a statue of Our Lady of Life in front of the Parish of the Holy Stigmata of St. Francis. Those present prayed together, asking for Mary’s intercession and God’s blessing for peace in the world and “for the healthy growth of all human life.”In the cathedral of the Diocese of Wenzhou, the faithful gathered to pray the Holy Rosary before the image of Our Lady. A special prayer was offered for parents who were asking for graces for their children on the Feast of the Visitation. That same day, in the Diocese of Jingzhou (Shashi), the Sisters of the Congregation of the Child Jesus made their perpetual vows during the celebration of the Visitation of the Virgin Mary to Elizabeth. Bishop Joseph Xu Honggen of the Diocese of Suzhou presided over the solemn liturgy, during which the Sisters of the Congregation of the Presentation of Mary also made their perpetual vows.In his homily, Bishop Xu expressed his sincere desire and deep expectations, emphasizing that these vows are not only an important milestone in the spiritual life of each religious, but also a source of pride and hope for the entire diocese and the local Church.Devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus is deeply rooted in the daily life of Chinese Catholic communities (see Fides, 14/6/2024).According to partial data collected in the precious ‘Guide to the Catholic Church in China’, compiled by the late French missionary Jean Charbonnier (1932-2023), there are more than 200 parishes, churches, and chapels dedicated to the Sacred Heart in mainland China. Among them, the cathedral of the Archdiocese of Guangzhou stands out, considered one of the most beautiful and solemn in the country. New churches continue to be consecrated, such as the one dedicated to the Sacred Heart in June 2023 in the Diocese of Wenzhou.According to the Shanghai Catholic newspaper Shengxin (Sacred Heart), published between 1887 and 1949, it was the Jesuit Father Jean Charles de Broissia who introduced this devotion to China. However, the spread of the cult of the Sacred Heart of Jesus is attributed above all to his confrere Romain Hinderer (1668-1744), who built the first large church dedicated to the Sacred Heart between 1722 and 1732 in the city of Hangzhou, where today stands the mausoleum Park of the Jesuit Martino Martini (1614-1661), a prominent Italian historian, geographer, and cartographer. (NZ) (Agenzia Fides, 2/6/2025)
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Source: Royal Canadian Mounted Police
Grande Prairie RCMP Crime Reduction Unit (CRU) have been conducting proactive patrols in areas that have been noted to have a higher likelihood of criminal activity. As a result, four people were arrested on these two separate files:
Source: Office of United States Attorneys
Orlando, Florida – United States Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe announces that Bradley D. Burch (34, Apopka), Ronald E. Hubbard Jr. (37, Apopka), and Douglas E. Arnett Jr. (33, Orlando) have pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute fentanyl, a fentanyl analog, and methamphetamine. Burch also pleaded guilty to possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. Hubbard and Arnett each face a minimum penalty of 10 years, up to life, in federal prison, and Burch faces a minimum penalty of 15 years, up to life, in federal prison.
According to plea agreements and court documents, throughout 2023, undercover agents conducted multiple controlled purchases of powder fentanyl, counterfeit fentanyl pills, and methamphetamine from Burch. For at least some of those deals, Hubbard, Arnett, or both supplied the drugs to Burch to sell to the undercover agents. Over the course of the conspiracy, they distributed nearly 2 kilograms of methamphetamine and over 350 grams of fentanyl or fentanyl analog mixtures. Additionally, during some of these transactions, Burch had a firearm nearby or in his waistband.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Metropolitan Bureau of Investigation, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and the Apopka Police Department. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Megan Testerman.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.
Source: US FBI
ALEXANDRIA, La. – Acting United States Attorney Alexander C. Van Hook announced that Stephen Andrew Cipkin, 38, a former tutor from Suffolk County in New York, has been sentenced by United States District Judge Dee D. Drell to 65 years in prison, followed by a lifetime of supervised release, for two counts of enticement of a minor to engage in sexual activity.
Cipkin was charged in a Bill of Information and Indictment with enticement of minors to engage in sexual activity and pleaded guilty to the charge on August 13, 2024.
At the guilty plea hearing, Cipkin admitted that from January 2022, through April 23, 2022, he used a smart phone and computer to knowingly persuade, induce, entice, and coerce a minor female under the age of 18 years old to engage in sexual activity. Cipkin, posing as an adolescent female seeking a friendship, used an online catfish account to contact the minor victim. He later admitted to being a male and began an online relationship with the minor victim after gaining her trust. During this relationship, Cipkin asked the minor victim to send sexually explicit photographs of herself to him and also asked her to meet up with him for sexual intercourse. After receiving the photographs and videos, he used them as blackmail to extort and threaten the minor victim.
From April 16, 2022, through April 23, 2022, Cipkin traveled from the State of New York to Natchitoches, Louisiana, to meet with the minor victim. Cipkin picked up the minor victim from her home and brought her to a hotel in the Western District of Louisiana where they engaged in sexual intercourse.
Cipkin also admitted that between January 1, 2021, and continuing through January 1, 2022, in the Northern District of Tennessee, he used his smart phone and computer to persuade, induce, entice, and coerce another minor female under the age of 18 years old to engage in illegal sexual activity. Cipkin reached out to the minor female victim using an online account that he had created and began an online relationship with the minor female victim, asking her to send sexually explicit photographs to him and to meet with him for sexual intercourse.
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Office and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Casey N. Stelly in the Western District of Louisiana.
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Source: The Conversation – UK – By Manoj Dora, Professor in Sustainable Production and Consumption, Anglia Ruskin University
British farmers and food safety campaigners have been sounding the alarm over the recent deal struck between the UK and US. The agreement offers unprecedented access to US agricultural exports such as beef and ethanol into the UK market.
While some hailed this as a breakthrough after previous talks stagnated under Joe Biden’s administration, critics argue it could undercut domestic producers, introduce lower standards for food and even compromise public health. With the cost of living remaining high, cheaper US imports may look appealing to British consumers. But many fear the products may come at a longer-term cost.
The UK government has insisted it will not compromise on standards. Hormone-treated beef and chlorine-washed chicken remain banned. But critics are sceptical. At the White House, US trade officials suggested food rules should be based on science, hinting at renewed pressure to permit products currently excluded by UK law.
But public opinion in the UK strongly supports high food standards. Surveys show most UK consumers reject hormone-fed beef and chlorinated chicken, valuing animal welfare and food safety. Given this, any shift toward US-style practices could trigger a backlash.
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The deal’s language – promising to “enhance agricultural market access” – raises concerns that this may be only the first step. Food safety advocates fear a slow erosion of standards under commercial pressure.
Under the terms of the deal, the UK will allow in 13,000 tonnes of US beef tariff-free — a huge change from the 1,000-tonne cap (with a 20% tariff) previously in place. In exchange, the US will grant a matching quota for UK beef.
The National Farmers’ Union (NFU) welcomed improved US market access. But domestically, many farmers feel exposed.
They worry that cheap US beef, even if hormone-free, will undercut UK cattle raised under stricter welfare and environmental rules. Feedlot beef from the American Midwest is typically cheaper, prompting fears of price pressure.
The NFU says this could be a “disaster” for British farming. Supermarkets including Tesco and Sainsbury’s say they will continue sourcing 100% British beef, but farmers fear US meat could enter the wholesale and catering sectors.
There’s also concern about ethanol – a biofuel typically sourced from crops such as corn or wheat and used primarily as a petrol additive to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The UK has eliminated a 19% tariff and opened a quota of 1.4 billion litres of US corn ethanol.
But this threatens domestic bioethanol plants, which purchase millions of tonnes of British wheat each year for ethanol production. It plays a crucial role in supporting UK arable farming and rural economies.
The NFU has warned that this could destabilise farm incomes, reduce local feed supplies and endanger the production of CO², which is used widely in food packaging, refrigeration and the carbonation of drinks across the UK industry. The NFU said the deal overlooked the complex role these plants play in the UK’s food system.
But cheaper imports could ease grocery bills in the UK, a welcome prospect given food price inflation peaked at more than 19% in 2023. Cheaper beef might help households increase their protein intake. For lower-income families, for example, small savings on staples could really improve nutrition.
However, not all cheap calories are healthy. Britons are already encouraged to eat less red meat on health grounds. Increased access to cheaper beef could nudge intakes beyond recommended levels.
Restaurateur Henry Dimbleby, the UK government’s former food strategy lead, has argued that undermining domestic standards for short-term savings risks health and environmental setbacks.
Food safety is another issue. While the government says all imports will meet UK standards, future trade negotiations could challenge that. Country-of-origin labelling and enforcement will be essential for consumer confidence.
There’s also the risk of more ultra-processed food entering the UK. The deal may increase imports of US cereals, drinks and snack foods. While not inherently unsafe, many health advocates worry about worsening rates of obesity and diabetes if heavily processed products become cheaper and more common in the UK.
Trade can bring benefits — but food isn’t just another commodity. It intersects with health, environment and rural life. The NFU warns that Britain’s high standards shouldn’t be quietly traded away under pressure from US agribusiness.
The UK government claims it has preserved food protections while expanding trade. What will be key is whether consumers see real savings, as well as whether supermarkets stick to British meat. If not, it remains to be seen whether UK farmers can compete or if they will be squeezed out.
Crucially, UK regulators must hold the line if the US pushes harder. A prosperous deal should not just mean more trade — but safer, healthier and fairer food for all.
Manoj Dora 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.
– ref. Cheaper food or a compromise on standards? Why the UK’s trade deal with the US is sounding alarm bells – https://theconversation.com/cheaper-food-or-a-compromise-on-standards-why-the-uks-trade-deal-with-the-us-is-sounding-alarm-bells-257755
Source: The Conversation – UK – By Jennifer Bousfield, Senior Analyst, Health and Care Research Group, RAND Europe
For decades, women’s health has been chronically underfunded and under-researched. The consequences of this neglect are widespread and deeply damaging.
Millions of women live with avoidable pain, delayed diagnoses, inadequate treatments and poor access to care. The ripple effects reach far beyond individual health: they impact families, workplaces and the wider economy.
In recent years, some progress has been made. In 2022, the UK government launched the first ever women’s health strategy for England, which was a landmark recognition that the health needs of women have been systematically overlooked in research, policy and service design.
The strategy pledged better support for menopause, increased funding for research, the creation of women’s health hubs, which provide a convenient location for women to access multiple services, such as gynaecology, sexual health, contraception an menopause care. These hubs aim to improve access, enhance experiences, reduce health inequalities for women and improved coordination across NHS services.
But just two years later, that momentum is at risk of stalling.
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The government’s wider NHS reform efforts, coupled with cost-cutting, have included the withdrawal of national funding incentives for women’s health hubs. This decision has triggered concern across the health sector.
These hubs were designed to bring together vital services – from menstrual and menopause support to contraception and fertility care – in one location. They have shown promise in narrowing gender health gaps.
One of us (Jennifer) was involved in a recent evaluation by Rand Europe and the University of Birmingham, which found that women using the hubs reported overwhelmingly positive experiences, and collaboration between hub leaders and local healthcare services were key to their success. Yet many of these services are now at risk of being dismantled before they’ve had a chance to take root.
This is not a marginal issue. Women make up 51% of the UK population. Still, for decades, they’ve been underrepresented in clinical research, resulting in diagnostic blind spots and treatments that don’t account for female physiology. Conditions like endometriosis, adenomyosis and heavy menstrual bleeding affect millions but remain understudied and are frequently dismissed.
In other cases – such as heart disease and dementia – a lack of gender-specific understanding can be life-threatening.
At the same time, women’s health is seeing a surge in innovation. The “femtech” sector is booming and expected to be worth US$117 billion globally by 2029 (£86 billion). From AI-powered diagnostic apps and menstrual tracking wearables, to 3D-printed pessaries, advanced ultrasonic imaging tools and new breast cancer therapies, the possibilities are exciting.
But innovation alone isn’t enough – and it risks deepening existing inequalities if not implemented thoughtfully. The gender health gap persists, and disparities in healthcare access and outcomes are often worse for women based on geography, ethnicity or income. Without inclusive design, these shiny new tools could widen the divide rather than close it.
There are growing concerns around bias in health technologies, particularly AI. If algorithms are trained on data that doesn’t reflect the diversity of the population, they can miss key symptoms, produce inaccurate results or fail to support women from minority backgrounds. Technology must be matched by transparency, oversight and inclusion.
Read more:
AI can guess racial categories from heart scans – what it means and why it matters
Even the most advanced tools are meaningless without strong systems in place to govern them. Innovation must be embedded into accessible, well-funded services – and those services must be built around the real needs of women. Trust, relevance, and cultural sensitivity aren’t optional extras – they’re essential for success.
As the UK government moves ahead with NHS reforms, it must not lose sight of the importance of women’s health. Getting this right means more than launching new apps or pilot schemes. It means long-term commitment and investment backed by evidence.
At RAND Europe, our research points to two central challenges: a lack of equitable access to services and a disconnect between innovation and the needs of women.
If we want to create meaningful, lasting change, three key priorities must be addressed:
1. Sustainable funding: short-term pilots of new therapies or treatments often show promise, only to vanish when initial funding ends. Women’s health hubs, and similar services, need stable, long-term support to become embedded parts of the health system – not experiments at risk of collapse.
2. Stronger cross-sector collaboration: progress depends on better coordination across the NHS, academia, industry, charities and the public. Working together can reduce the duplication of efforts, align priorities and drive real results.
3. Accessible information and health literacy: for services and innovations to work, people need to understand them. Clear, reliable information is crucial – not just for women, but for healthcare professionals too. Empowering patients to make informed choices is key to improving outcomes.
Women’s health is not a side issue. It’s a foundation of a healthy, fair society. Investing in it doesn’t just benefit women, it strengthens families, communities and the economy.
The NHS ten-year plan presents a vital opportunity. If the ambitions of the women’s health strategy are to become reality, they must be baked into long-term planning with clear, measurable goals.
Sonja Marjanovic receives grant and contract funding for wider portfolios of research on healthcare services and innovation. She works at RAND Europe, a not for profit policy research institute and she is a Trustee of The Nuffield Trust.
Stephanie Stockwell receives grant and contract funding for wider portfolios of research on healthcare services and innovation. Stephanie Stockwell works at RAND Europe, a not f profit research institute and is on the committee for the physical activity for health division of the Chartered Society of Sport and Exercise Scientists.
Jennifer Bousfield 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.
– ref. From period pain to heart disease, the gender health gap is real – here’s how to close it – https://theconversation.com/from-period-pain-to-heart-disease-the-gender-health-gap-is-real-heres-how-to-close-it-252565
Source: The Conversation – UK – By Yana Manyukhina, Senior Researcher, Helen Hamlyn Centre for Pedagogy, UCL
Education shouldn’t be a passive experience, with children simply absorbing the knowledge teachers pass on to them. Research shows that when children have an input into their learning – helping to decide topics to cover, or specific activities, or how they are assessed – they feel more motivated, engaged in learning and happier in school.
But when we asked children about their opportunities to make choices in their education, they were often downbeat. “I’m a child and I can’t do anything,” one seven-year-old said.
This powerful statement captures a sentiment we found repeatedly in research for our new book. We set out to understand how much agency children have in their education, and what difference it makes when they do.
Our 40-month study, funded by the Leverhulme Trust, involved in-depth research across three contrasting primary schools in England: an independent (fee-paying) school, a community state school and an academy state school.
Academy schools operate independently from local council control with greater curriculum flexibility, while community schools are run directly by local authorities. We spoke with children, observed lessons and interviewed teachers and headteachers.
The findings were clear: when children have meaningful input into their learning, their motivation soars. But too often, particularly in core subjects such as English and mathematics, children feel like passive recipients rather than active participants in their education. “We don’t decide, we just do what we’re told to do,” one child said.
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Children across all three schools consistently expressed a desire for more choice in their education.
When asked whether they had opportunities to make choices in their learning, one child at the independent school stated: “We don’t really get to choose what we do in the lessons.” This sentiment was echoed in the community state school, where children had no expectation that they could have input into the curriculum.
They also distinguished between “work” (subjects such as English and mathematics) and “fun” (creative subjects such as art). They described how they enjoyed the latter while the former were subjects they simply “had to do”.
Most revealing was the contrasting experience in the academy school, which had developed a distinctive approach to curriculum design involving direct pupil input. Here, children reported significantly higher levels of engagement. “I really enjoy school, and I really enjoy being able to pick what we do,” one child told us.
These voices highlight a crucial point: children don’t expect complete freedom, but they do want meaningful opportunities to influence their experience of school.
Our research led to the development of what we call “structured freedom” – a balanced approach that maintains necessary educational structures while creating space for children’s agency. This isn’t about abandoning standards or letting children do whatever they want. Instead, it’s about giving children opportunities for meaningful choice within clear frameworks.
The academy school in our study demonstrated this approach most clearly. The starting point for each year’s curriculum was children helping to shape curriculum topics. They brought in items of interest, ranging from Coca-Cola bottles to pieces of rock. The teachers then connected these objects to required curriculum content through conversations with the children.
The school maintained clear classroom structures but provided choices about learning activities and assessment methods. Children could select which skills to work on during lessons – whether knowledge-building, research or collaboration – and at what difficulty level. They also documented their learning journey creatively in topic books using photos, pictures, drawings, diagrams or stories.
This balanced approach paid dividends. Teachers reported higher engagement among children, and genuine enthusiasm for learning across subjects.
England’s national curriculum has a heavy focus on content – the topics to be taught – and limited attention to children’s agency. However, the national curriculum is under review. This provides a rare opportunity to place children’s agency at the heart of educational reform – not at the expense of standards, but as an essential component of achieving them.
Our findings also suggest several important considerations for parents. Children who experience agency in their learning show greater motivation, engagement and more positive attitudes toward education.
With rising concerns about children’s mental health and increasing school absenteeism, supporting agency offers a practical way to reconnect children with learning. Parents might consider asking schools about opportunities for children’s input into curriculum topics, teaching approaches and assessment methods.
The schools in our study often struggled to enable children’s agency, but they also showed possibilities for the next national curriculum. Listening to children’s voices isn’t only about rights. It’s about creating more effective learning experiences that prepare children for an uncertain future.
Yana Manyukhina received funding from The Leverhulme Trust for the research reported in this article. She has received funding from a range of organisations for research including from the Helen Hamlyn Trust.
Dominic Wyse received funding from The Leverhulme Trust for the research reported in this article. He has received funding from a range of organisations for his research including from the Helen Hamlyn Trust.
Dominic is currently an advisor for the development of the primary curriculum in Ireland and a member of the Literacy Expert Panel for the Welsh Government.
– ref. Children need more say in their education – here’s why it matters – https://theconversation.com/children-need-more-say-in-their-education-heres-why-it-matters-256272
Source: The Conversation – UK – By Glenn Fosbraey, Associate Dean of Humanities and Social Sciences, University of Winchester
My professional life revolves around the academic study of song lyrics. So it may seem like a strange move to write about how some of the most powerful and emotive vocal moments in popular music have come when singers reject words. But it’s impossible to ignore that sometimes a song needs something more universal, more innate and more guttural than language.
Some vocalists have eschewed words entirely in their songs, like Ella Fitzgerald scatting throughout Flying Home (1945), or David Crosby da da dumming his way through Song With No Words (1971). More frequently, though, these wordless singalong moments appear as hooks.
Think the “la la la las” of Elton John’s Crocodile Rock (1972); the “duh duh duh duhs” in The Fratellis’ Chelsea Dagger (2006); the “ooh-aah-aaahs” of Fun’s Some Nights (2012) and Coldplay’s Viva La Vida (2008); or the ear worm “eh, eheu, eheus” of Bastille’s Pompeii (2013).
To paraphrase Ronan Keating (for the first and probably last time), sometimes singers say it best when they say nothing at all. And here are my four favourite examples of where they do just that.
When Richard Wright brought his song The Great Gig in the Sky to the studio during Pink Floyd’s The Dark Side of The Moon recording sessions, the band felt something was missing. They wanted a “foreground element to make it really transcend”, and versatile session vocalist Clare Torry was brought in to provide it.
Receiving little musical direction from the band apart from that they wanted the vocal to be wordless, she ad-libbed a few different ideas before leaving the studio, fully expecting nothing more to come of it. To Torry’s surprise, her vocal not only made it onto the finished record, but arguably became a pinnacle not just of the album, but of Floyd’s entire canon.
With a jaw-dropping wail that elevated the track to near-celestial heights, Torry managed to express the full range of human emotion without relying on words. Her contribution was eventually recognised with a co-authorship credit alongside Wright.
If my championing of non-lexical sounds in songs is to dabble in unfamiliar waters, then praising anything by Rita Ora is to sail into “here there be monsters” territory. And yet the hook of her 2017 song Anywhere is just so dang good that it demanded to be include here.
Heavily-treated and chopped-up by producers Alesso, Andrew Watt and Sir Nolan, Ora’s vocal flirts with decipherability as the occasional word emerges from the wonderful confusion, but then veers joyously off into digitised gibberish again.
It’s a prime example of what a crucial role production can play in a song’s success. Such is the manipulation of her original take, even Ora herself admits that she has no idea what she’s singing. Sadly, public and media pressures eventually led her to reveal what the lyrics were before they were “chopped up”.
If you really want to know, watch this Live Lounge performance. For me, though, the power of the song lies beyond language, so, in this case, ignorance is indeed bliss.
There have been some great falsetto singers over the decades, with the likes of Frankie Valli, Brian Wilson, The Bee Gees, Smokey Robinson and Prince all true masters of the craft. My favourite ever example, though, comes from Elvis’s eponymous 1956 album and his cover of Blue Moon.
After spending the first two minutes of the track in the trademark croon of his lower register, Elvis then soars into wordless falsetto at various points in the last 30 or so seconds. It’s unexpected. It’s delicate yet somehow strong. And it’s musical heaven.
Similarly to The Great Gig in the Sky, The Rolling Stones wanted something that would transform their new song Gimme Shelter from good into great. The solution was soul and gospel singer Merry Clayton, who was brought in to sing the heavy, dark chorus, first alongside Mick Jagger, then solo. The rest, as they say, is history.
I can’t include Clayton’s vocal itself in this list, seeing as it contains words, but I can include a by-product of it, which, for me, is one of the greatest, most natural moments ever caught on record: Mick Jagger’s reaction.
At 3m 02s, when the intensity of Clayton’s third go-around of the line “rape, murder, it’s just a shot away” has caused her voice to crack under the strain, we hear Jagger whooping in the background, unable to contain his amazement and joy at what he was witnessing.
Gimme Shelter’ has become one of the Stones’ most enduring tracks and is a staple of their live shows, which include some great performances of Merry’s section from Lisa Fischer and Chanel Haynes, and a not-so-great one from Lady Gaga. As with so many things, though, nothing will ever come close to the original.
Glenn Fosbraey 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.
– ref. The four best non-lyrical vocal moments in pop music – from la la las to duh duh duhs – https://theconversation.com/the-four-best-non-lyrical-vocal-moments-in-pop-music-from-la-la-las-to-duh-duh-duhs-257386
Source: The Conversation – USA – By Max Moritz, Wildfire Specialist, University of California Cooperative Extension; Adjunct Professor at the Bren School, University of California at Santa Barbara, University of California, Santa Barbara
One of the most striking patterns in the aftermath of many urban fires is how much unburned green vegetation remains amid the wreckage of burned neighborhoods.
In some cases, a row of shrubs may be all that separates a surviving house from one that burned just a few feet away.
As scientists who study how vegetation ignites and burns, we recognize that well-maintained plants and trees can actually help protect homes from wind-blown embers and slow the spread of fire in some cases. So, we are concerned about new wildfire protection regulations being developed by the state of California that would prohibit almost all plants and other combustible material within 5 feet of homes, an area known as “Zone 0.”
Wildfire safety guidelines have long encouraged homeowners to avoid having flammable materials next to their homes. But the state’s plan for an “ember-resistant zone,” being expedited under an executive order from Gov. Gavin Newsom, goes further by also prohibiting grass, shrubs and many trees in that area.
If that prohibition remains in the final regulation, it’s likely to be met with public resistance. Getting these rules right also matters beyond California, because regulations that originate in California often ripple outward to other fire-prone regions.
Research into how vegetation can reduce fire risk is a relatively new area of study. However, the findings from plant flammability studies and examination of patterns of where vegetation and homes survive large urban fires highlight its importance.
When surviving plants do appear scorched after these fires, it is often on the side of the plant facing a nearby structure that burned. That suggests that wind-blown embers ignited houses first: The houses were then the fuel as the fire spread through the neighborhood.
We saw this repeatedly in the Los Angeles area after wildfires destroyed thousands of homes in January 2025. The pattern suggests a need to focus on the many factors that can influence home losses.
Several guides are available that explain steps homeowners can take to help protect houses, particularly from wind-blown embers, known as home hardening.
For example, installing rain gutter covers to keep dead leaves from accumulating, avoiding flammable siding and ensuring that vents have screens to prevent embers from getting into the attic or crawl space can lower the risk of the home catching fire.
However, guidance related to landscaping plants varies greatly and can even be incorrect.
For example, some “fire-safe” plant lists contain species that are drought tolerant but not necessarily fire resistant. What matters more for keeping plants from becoming fuel for fires is how well they’re maintained and whether they’re properly watered.
When living plant material is heated by a nearby energy source, such as a fire, the moisture inside it must be driven off before it can ignite. That evaporation cools the surrounding area and lowers the plant’s flammability.
In many cases, high moisture can actually keep a plant from igniting. We’ve seen this in some of our experimental work and in other studies that test the flammability of ornamental landscaping.
With enough heat, dried leaves and stems can break down and volatilize into gases. And, at that point, a nearby spark or flame can ignite these gases and set the plant on fire.
Even when the plant does burn, however, its moisture content can limit other aspects of flammability, such as how hot it burns.
Up to the point that they actually burn, green, well-maintained plants can slow the spread of a fire by serving as “heat sinks,” absorbing energy and even blocking embers. This apparent protective role has been observed in both Australia and California studies of home losses.
How often vegetation buffers homes from igniting during urban conflagrations is still unclear, but this capability has implications for regulations.
The Zone 0 regulations California’s State Board of Forestry is developing are part of broader efforts to reduce fire risk around homes and communities. They would apply in regions considered at high risk of wildfires or defended by CAL FIRE, the state’s firefighting agency.
Many of the latest Zone 0 recommendations, such as prohibiting mulch and attached fences made of materials that can burn, stem from large-scale tests conducted by the National Institute of Standards and Technology and the Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety. These features can be systematically analyzed.
But vegetation is far harder to model. The state’s proposed Zone 0 regulations oversimplify complex conditions in real neighborhoods and go beyond what is currently known from scientific research regarding plant flammability.
A mature, well-pruned shrub or tree with a high crown may pose little risk of burning and can even reduce exposure to fires by blocking wind and heat and intercepting embers. Aspen trees, for example, have been recommended to reduce fire risk near structures or other high-value assets.
In contrast, dry, unmanaged plants under windows or near fences may ignite rapidly and make it more likely that the house itself will catch fire.
As California and other states develop new wildfire regulations, they need to recognize the protective role that well-managed plants can play, along with many other benefits of urban vegetation.
We believe the California proposal’s current emphasis on highly prescriptive vegetation removal, instead of on maintenance, is overly simplistic. Without complementary requirements for hardening the homes themselves, widespread clearing of landscaping immediately around homes could do little to reduce risk and have unintended consequences.
Max Moritz has nothing to disclose.
Luca Carmignani has nothing to disclose.
– ref. California wildfire plan to ban most plants within 5 feet of homes overlooks some important truths about flammability – https://theconversation.com/california-wildfire-plan-to-ban-most-plants-within-5-feet-of-homes-overlooks-some-important-truths-about-flammability-257109
Source: US Congressman Don Davis (NC-01)
SNOW HILL, NC — Congressman Don Davis (NC-01) released the following statement after the decision by Snow Hill commissioners to disband the Snow Hill Police Department:
“Nearly 15 years ago, the Snow Hill Police Department was formed to improve public safety, protect residents, and allow everyone to feel more secure in their homes, businesses, and neighborhoods. Dedicated police officers on patrol enforce the law, foster trust within the community, and promote a sense of town pride. I strongly urge town officials to reverse course, reconsider their decision, and keep the Snow Hill Police Department intact.”
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Source: University of Aberdeen
A project which aims to increase the number of people with learning disabilities who secure employment in the north-east of Scotland held its annual graduation ceremony at the University of Aberdeen last week.
The DFN Project SEARCH programme celebrated the achievements of the class of 2024/25 at Kings College Conference Centre on Friday, 30 May.
The programme is a collaborative project which provides real-life work experience, combined with training in employability and independent-living skills, to young people with learning disabilities and/or autistic spectrum conditions who want to go on to find paid employment.
Samantha Waters, Chief Governance Officer and University Secretary, who presented the interns with their graduation certificates, said: “We are delighted to have hosted this unique programme at the University for 12 years. Graduation ceremonies are always special, and this event is a proud moment for the interns, their families, and all our colleagues in the University and beyond who have supported them over the last year.
“Project SEARCH is instrumental in paving the way for change beyond education and the workplace and into society more generally. Our graduating interns are wonderful ambassadors for young people in the workplace who champion neurodiversity and we wish them every success in the future.”
Neil Cowie, Principal of North East Scotland College, where the interns are registered students, said: “Graduation ceremonies are always one of the highlights of the calendar and, on behalf of everyone at NESCol and all of our project partners, our congratulations go to the class of 2025.
“It is a wonderful opportunity to reflect on the achievements of the past year but also to look forward to the exciting next steps for a group who have shown great dedication, application and skill as they have progressed through the programme. My thanks go to all who have played their part in supporting and mentoring our interns over the past year – we all look forward to following the stories of our graduates as they thrive in the work and in life.”
The ceremony also included contributions from senior representatives from Values Into Action Scotland (VIAS), which holds the licence to operate the DFN Project SEARCH programme in Aberdeen.
Norma Curran, Chief Executive, said: “As an organisation, VIAS is very proud of the achievements of this year’s interns. It is almost impossible to articulate the growth that we have seen in them throughout the year. They are such amazing role models for DFN Project SEARCH University of Aberdeen and this amazing partnership. We are grateful to everyone involved for delivering this special programme for young people in the north-east of Scotland. We are excited to see interns next steps after graduation and wish them all well for a bright future.”
Highlights from the ceremony included contributions from graduating interns and the premiere of a video showcasing highlights from their Project SEARCH journey.
Thanks were extended at the ceremony to the representatives of all organisations which support the programme, including funders Aberdeenshire Council and Shell UK Ltd, and several local businesses who generously provided sponsorship and external placement opportunities.
Source: City of York
Following feedback from local residents and businesses, several changes to car parking charges are being considered at June’s Executive Meeting.
In April, new pricing for car parking was introduced after being approved at Budget Full Council.
Since the implementation of the new charges, the council has listened to residents and businesses most affected by the changes, who have shared their concerns.
As a result, Executive will review the parking arrangements at the meeting on 3 June 2025 and consider a number of proposed changes. Executive will also be asked to agree to a consultation as part of a review of the impact of car parking charges on the economy and communities, the outcome of which will be taken to a future Executive meeting.
An initial analysis of the economic impact is very positive, with Parliament Street showing an increase in footfall of 28.7% year on year comparing April figures, and an increase in spend of 3.7% year on year, continuing to buck the national trend.
Councillor Claire Douglas, Leader of City of York Council said:
We have recognised the strength of feeling and feedback from local communities following the implementation of new parking charges and continue to listen to concerns. At the upcoming Executive meeting we will consider a number of options which seek to address the issues raised, while still supporting our ambitions to develop a healthier, more sustainable and better connected city.
“Setting a budget is never easy and we are very grateful for those who responded to the consultation carried out over several months last year, whether attending a workshop or filling in our survey. I look forward to having further discussions.”
Councillor Kate Ravilious, Executive Member for Transport said:
Money from car parking goes straight back into improving our highways and public transport. This year we have increased investment in our highway maintenance programme to £10 million, meaning more potholes are being repaired on York’s roads – with over 9,000 repaired last year alone.
“We are also investing over £50 million in sustainable travel improvements, including ticket concessions for young people, better real time information, and in the Station Gateway scheme which includes a bus interchange. This is all focused on making it easier for everyone to get around. To do this we must tackle congestion which residents have told us has a detrimental impact on how they live and work in the city, including their health and wellbeing.
“In recent weeks I have been listening to local residents and businesses. Everyone’s love and support for our incredible independent businesses has shone through. One of the great strengths of the city is the vibrant local economies that residents enjoy in their local areas. We continue to listen and as a result we are looking at reviewing some of the parking charges in line with our transport strategy and using a data-led and evidence-based approach.”
At the meeting, Executive will consider a range of interim options which could be introduced while a review into the impact of the car parking charges takes place. These include:
If approved, the new charges will need to be advertised for 21 days in accordance with legislation, meaning those charges implemented will come into effect late June to early July and be subject to a pending review.
Should Executive approve a change to the amount paid for the low vehicle emission discount, contract, season and ResPark permits, holders will be refunded the difference with more details of this to follow.
The report for next week’s meeting is available to view online.
Source: City of York
As we approach Clean Air Day later this month [19 June], City of York Council has released figures showing that all of York is meeting national air pollution targets for the first time*.
Latest air quality monitoring figures from the council for 2024, reported to the Combined Executive Member Decision Session on 3 June 2025, show that the health-based air quality objectives were met at all locations in York for the first time, except during the Covid lockdowns, when traffic emissions reduced due to home working and closure of non-essential retail.
Air quality monitoring in some areas of the city, such as around Gillygate and Bootham, has shown that maximum annual levels of nitrogen dioxide pollution improved by 27 per cent in 2024 compared with 2023.
The significant improvement in air quality is due to actions taken by the council, its partners and by residents. This includes further electrification of buses and council fleet vehicles, policies that incentivise the uptake of more low-emission taxis, anti-idling campaigns encouraging people to turn off their engines when stationary or waiting in traffic and improved electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure – all of which have all helped improve air quality further throughout 2024.
The council encourages people to walk, cycle or use public transport wherever possible to reduce their exposure and contribution to air pollution, and make the switch to electric vehicles if budgets allow.
Air pollution is linked to a range of health problems at every stage of life – from premature birth and effects on organ development in childhood, to causing heart and lung disease, diabetes and strokes in adulthood.
Every year, air pollution causes up to 43,000 deaths in the UK.
Find out more through the Clean Air Hub about how air pollution impacts our mental and physical health and the planet’s wellbeing.
Residents can also sign up for the council’s free pollution forecasting and alert service which sends air pollution alerts and health advice to those most likely to be affected by air pollution to help them minimise their exposure when future pollution episodes are forecast, and to encourage all of us to leave the car at home if possible on those days, to avoid worsening pollution for everyone.
Cllr Jenny Kent, the Council’s Executive Member for the Environment and Climate Emergency, said: “This is brilliant news – what a fantastic achievement to help us celebrate Clean Air Day. By being proactive on improving the air we all breathe, the council has helped to meet air pollution targets for the *first time ever in York.
“Having walked the stretch along Holgate for over a decade with prams and children, along with hundreds of young people travelling to and from 9 schools in the area, I know first hand what a difference this makes. We made a commitment to improve air quality when we published our fourth Air Quality Action Plan last summer and it is rewarding to see that the measures are working. Cleaner air is helping improve the health and wellbeing of everyone in York.
“This is a really big achievement which we should celebrate, but we are not complacent; we need to see these results and the longer-term downward trend continue”.
Peter Roderick, director of Public Health at City of York Council, said: “Even though we can’t see it, air pollution impacts our health whatever age we are. Improving air quality not only benefits our physical health and the environment but can also protect our mental and brain health. For the whole of York to meet air pollution targets for first time since Covid is a great achievement.
“We hope Clean Air Day will help raise awareness of air pollution across the city and encourage people to consider their air quality impact in helping to protect everyone’s health. We can all make improvements; share a lift to work, work from home or walk, catch the bus or cycle, if possible.”
“The latest results for the city demonstrate how far we have come in recent years to improve local air quality for everyone, however we recognise that more can be done. Through the council’s Air Quality Action Plan and other complementary strategies, we aim to go beyond National Air Quality Objectives and work towards meeting stricter World Health Organisation (WHO) guidelines in the longer term to further improve public health; this will allow us all to benefit from lasting health improvements”.
Mick Forbes, Engineering Director of First Bus North & West Yorkshire, said: “The results are very positive and provide real evidence of the environmental benefits we are achieving with our fully zero-emission fleet on the streets of York, which started on routes through Gillygate in September 2023.
“We are delighted this is recognised in the air quality assessment by City of York Council and will continue to support its efforts to create cleaner air in the city.
“By working together with the council we have been able to invest millions of pounds with government funding support to transform our James Street depot, which is one of the first in the country to be declared net zero.”
Find how to protect your health and cut emissions at the Clean Air Hub
Free Clean Air Day resources for use by individuals, schools, businesses, health organisations and community groups are available on the Clean Air Day website
The council’s iTravel York website provides a host of sustainable travel resources, including walking resources and cycling resources
This year’s Clean Air Day campaign on 19 June aims to highlight that air pollution affects your health from before your first breath until your last.
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
CFS urges public not to consume a kind of ice cream detected with coliform bacteria counts exceeding legal limitsBrand: Alchemia
Place of Origin: Hong Kong
Net Volume: 70 ml
Best-before Date: April 13, 2026
Manufacturer: Pay & Pay Ice Cream International Company Limited
Distributor: Kai’s Gourmet LimitedIssued at HKT 21:15
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Source: US State of New York
overnor Kathy Hochul today announced a record $20.2 million investment to expand efforts to reduce intimate partner violence in 17 counties outside of New York City. This funding allows the State Division of Criminal Justice Services to support 87 law enforcement agencies and community-based organizations through the Statewide Targeted Reductions in Intimate Partner Violence (STRIVE) initiative, a ground-breaking collaborative involving district attorneys’ offices, sheriffs’ offices, municipal police agencies, probation departments, and service providers.
“The safety of New Yorkers is my top priority, and I am committed to using every tool at our disposal to support anyone who has ever felt unsafe in their own home,” Governor Hochul said. “This record funding will save lives and reduce violence by putting offenders on notice and ensuring that the highest-risk victims and survivors receive the protection and support they need and deserve.”
This new investment will fund 155 positions including investigators, detectives, crime analysts, coordinators and advocates to support skilled, multidisciplinary teams that work to reduce domestic violence and increase survivor capacity for safety.
The STRIVE initiative promotes a coordinated community response rooted in survivor-centered, trauma-informed, and culturally competent practices. Modeled after the Division of Criminal Justice Services’ Gun Involved Violence Elimination (GIVE) initiative, STRIVE required each county to develop a comprehensive plan using one or more evidence-based strategies to hold those who harm accountable and increase safety capacity for victims.
New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services Commissioner Rossana Rosado said, “The STRIVE initiative builds on our success in fighting gun violence, using the same data-driven framework, as well as proven techniques for responding to intimate partner violence. We thank Governor Hochul for her leadership and this significant investment to improve safety for victims and survivors.”
STRIVE emphasizes six core elements: people, alignment, evidence-based strategies, engagement, skilled and supported staff, and monitoring and evaluation. The initiative places special focus on high-risk cases where victims face a serious risk of harm or lethality. Teams will use needs assessments, system mapping, and problem analysis to focus their efforts on the highest risk cases.
Community providers will ensure responses align with existing services at the state, local, and federal levels—including social services, probation, and victim assistance programs. Progress will be monitored and evaluated using tools that track trends and inform adjustments. Using local knowledge and robust data, teams will implement one of three proven strategies to reduce domestic violence:
The five New York City District Attorneys’ Offices also each received a share of $5 million to improve the public safety response to intimate partner violence and better address the needs of victims and survivors through early case enhancement efforts and assessments to identify and prioritize high-risk cases of abuse, among other strategies that support survivors and hold perpetrators accountable.
New York State Office for the Prevention of Domestic Violence Executive Director Kelli Nicholas Owens said, “STRIVE is an example of Coordinated Community Response, something OPDV and our partner state agencies have been investing in and promoting across the state. We know that when the systems that intersect when responding to domestic violence and other gender-based violence crimes work collaboratively, the outcomes for victims and survivors are better. STRIVE can save lives. Thank you, Governor Hochul, for supporting these efforts and for your unwavering support of those impacted by gender-based violence.”
New York State Office of Victim Services Director Bea Hanson said, “This funding will help coordinate responses among different systems – law enforcement, domestic violence service providers, social services, and health care, among others – that respond to gender-based and intimate partner violence. It will also help expand and strengthen access to support and services so victims and survivors can reclaim their lives. I thank Governor Hochul for her leadership and commitment to supporting domestic violence survivors and crime victims, and we are proud to work with our state and local partners on this initiative.”
The following counties, selected based on volume and rate of domestic and intimate partner violence, are receiving grant funding:
Long Island
Mid-Hudson
Capital Region
North Country
Mohawk Valley
Central New York
Southern Tier
Finger Lakes
Western New York
A breakdown of funding by county, law enforcement agency and service provider is available online. DCJS will support the implementation and improvements in how agencies respond to intimate partner violence with dedicated training and technical assistance from national and state experts. STRIVE counties will also benefit from access to the State’s 11 Crime Analysis Centers, which provide data, intelligence and investigative support to identify perpetrators and build prosecutable cases.
Additional STRIVE investment builds on essential, commonsense changes to New York’s Discovery Laws in the FY26 Enacted Budget to support survivors, hold perpetrators accountable and safeguard the right to a fair and speedy trial. The changes enacted will prevent cases from being thrown out over technical errors and eliminate dismissals and disruptions that have re-traumatized survivors of domestic violence and other serious crimes, and include $135 million for prosecutors and defenders to ensure compliance with discovery, a year-to-year increase of $15 million. The Enacted Budget also increases funding for rape crisis centers for the first time in a decade, with nearly $13 million for 52 centers certified by the State Department of Health; expands access to HIV prophylaxis medication to all survivors of sexual assault, not just those under 18; and improves access to public assistance for survivors of gender-based violence.
