A murder investigation has been launched by Met detectives following the disappearance of a woman from Ilford.
Yajaira Castro Mendez, aged 46, was reported missing to police on Saturday, 31 May, having left her home on the morning of Thursday, 29 May.
Today, a man known to her appeared in court charged with her murder, and detectives are appealing for anyone with information to come forward.
Chief Superintendent Jason Stewart, who leads policing in Camden, said: “Officers have been working around the clock to find Yajaira. She has not been seen or heard from by her family or friends since the date she was reported missing.
“Yajaira’s disappearance was initially treated as a missing person investigation led by local officers. The investigation was then transferred to the Met’s Specialist Crime Command on Thursday, 5 June after a range of extensive further enquiries very sadly suggested she has come to harm. Yajaira’s family continue to be supported by specialist officers, and we are keeping them updated with developments.
“I understand the impact this news may have on our local community, however we do have a man charged and in custody and we are not searching for anyone else at this stage. The man and Yajaira are believed to be known to each other.
“Detectives continue to investigate the circumstances and there are crime scenes in place across Camden and Lambeth. We thank the community for their patience while we carry out our enquiries and ask that any one with information please comes forward.”
Yajaira is a Colombian national who has been residing in the UK.
Officers are appealing for anyone with any information relating to Yajaira’s disappearance to contact police via 101 or @MetCC quoting CAD 3020/06JUN25.
To remain 100 per cent anonymous call the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or visit Crimestoppers-uk.org.
he Secretary-General has learned of the passing of former President Edgar Chagwa Lungu of Zambia. Former President Lungu made significant contributions to diplomacy and spearheaded key infrastructure projects in the country during his tenure. The Secretary-General extends his condolences to his family, the Government and the people of Zambia.
Letter from Philip Duffy, Chief Executive, Environment Agency to David Black, Chief Executive, Ofwat regarding Environment Performance Assessment Category 1 water pollution incidents.
Media Release Date: June 6th 2025 Economic Development Committee looks to boost inter island and regional travel for 2025 and beyond
The Economic Development Committee (EDC) has made provision of transport links to and from the island a key objective over the first six months of 2025. EDC has continued its subsidised support to Alderney Ferry Services, which has moved over 10,000 passengers between Alderney and Guernsey since its establishment 3 years ago. This has proved in recent years that it is essential to the island both economically and socially and bolsters the tourism and visitor offering. This renewed agreement could also run till 2027 subject to review by both parties.
The Committee has also undertaken a tender process for a sea link service on the largely unexploited Jersey route. Water Taxi CI was selected as the operator for the route for 2025 with a view to extending to 2026, the operator is currently undertaking a marketing campaign in Jersey working with Visit Alderney.
Chair of Economic Development Stuart Clark said: “As a first step, ensuring the ferry service between Alderney and Guernsey continued was of paramount importance for the Committee. It supports the visitor economy and residents alike, whilst complementing the air services provided by Aurigny on the lifeline routes, which are provided under the public service obligation”
He added, “A successful tender process for the Jersey route is also a great step forward in developing inter-island connectivity. We’re pleased that Water Taxi CI is committing to an intense marketing campaign to ramp up the service and there has been an encouraging amount of traction on social media since the States of Alderney’s announcement about the service on 23rd May”.
Breaking new ground, The Committee has also struck agreement with the Government of Jersey and Ports of Jersey, working on a joint venture which provides limited subsidy support to Finistair, an airline out of France, operating between Alderney and Brest via Jersey on a trial basis between June and August this year.
“This is an exciting opportunity for our island, not only in respect of inter-island travel, but for regional connectivity too. We’re of the view that Finistair and Water Taxi Ci will complement one another and provide us valuable data for the demand on this route, without detracting in any material way from the two critically important PSO lifeline routes operated by Aurigny. It demonstrates Alderney’s desire to encourage economic revitalisation by improving connectivity to and from the island, as has been expressed in several States’ debates on Alderney’s connectivity in Guernsey.”
The Government of Jersey’s Minister for Sustainable Economic Development, Deputy Kirsten Morel, said: “I am pleased to have worked with the States of Alderney to improve the links between our islands by delivering a new air route for this summer. I look forward to continuing to build on these links to find new areas of cooperation and learn from each other in areas such as tourism, heritage and energy.”
The Government of Saskatchewan is providing $60,000 to support professional development of Francophone artists and strengthen French-language arts and culture across the province.
The Conseil culturel fransaskois (CCF) will receive the funds to deliver seven workshops to singers, musicians, writers and visual artists. This is the second year of the funding with more than 55 artists benefitting from the program in 2024-25.
“These workshops provide valuable opportunities for Francophone artists to hone their craft, share ideas and grow professionally,” Minister Responsible for Francophone Affairs Alana Ross said. “The Conseil culturel fransaskois plays a vital role in preserving and promoting our province’s rich cultural heritage. This investment supports artists while delivering for our Francophone communities.”
The workshops will focus on a variety of areas for professional development such as marketing, promotion and mentorship.
This funding is part of the Canada-Saskatchewan Agreement on French-language Services, a five-year initiative that enhances the delivery of French-language programs and services across the province.
Like last year, the 2025-26 Provincial Budget includes several initiatives focused on Saskatchewan’s Francophone communities and French language in the province, including:
Two key health programs for Saskatchewan’s French speaking citizens: a patient accompaniment program operated by the Réseau santé en français de la Saskatchewan and a French-language mental health support telephone line offered through TAO Tel-Aide.
Improving the provision of French language services to Saskatchewan residents, by developing interactive government services in French and improving the availability of bilingual services for residents when doing business with government.
“Access to services in French, whether for health care, culture or business support, is essential to building an inclusive and equitable Canada,” Minister of Canadian Identity and Culture and Minister Responsible for Official Languages Steven Guilbeault said. “Through strong collaboration between the Governments of Canada and Saskatchewan, these important investments will help meet the needs of the Fransaskois community. Thanks to the Conseil culturel fransaskois for continuing to make a real difference in the lives of French-speaking communities in Saskatchewan by strengthening their cultural and social vitality.”
The CCF has been the province’s leading organization for the development and promotion of Francophone culture for over 50 years.
“The biggest impact of this renewed and increased funding will be felt in the continuation of initiatives launched last year,” CCF President Anne Brochu Lambert said. “It is a recognition of both the value of these initiatives and the importance of thoughtful long term professional development for our artists.”
To learn more about the CCF’s programs and events, visit: www.culturel.ca.
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For more information, contact:
Maintien du financement visant à soutenir les artistes francophones et à promouvoir la langue française en Saskatchewan
Le gouvernement de la Saskatchewan offre un appui financier de 60 000 $ afin de soutenir le développement professionnel des artistes francophones et de renforcer la présence des arts et de la culture en langue française dans toute la province.
Le Conseil culturel fransaskois (CCF) recevra les fonds à distribuer aux chanteuses et chanteurs, aux musiciennes et musiciens, aux écrivaines et écrivains ainsi qu’aux artistes visuels. Ce financement est offert pour une deuxième année consécutive, permettant ainsi à plus de 55 artistes de bénéficier du programme pour l’année 2024-2025.
« Ces ateliers offrent aux artistes francophones de précieuses occasions de perfectionner leur art, d’échanger des idées et d’évoluer sur le plan professionnel, déclare Alana Ross, la ministre responsable des Affaires francophones. Le Conseil culturel fransaskois joue un rôle essentiel dans la préservation et la promotion du riche héritage culturel de notre province. Cet investissement soutient les artistes tout en répondant aux attentes de la communauté francophone. »
Les ateliers s’attarderont sur plusieurs domaines du perfectionnement professionnel tels que le marketing, la promotion et le mentorat.
Le financement est prévu dans l’Entente Canada-Saskatchewan pour les services en français, une initiative de cinq ans qui permet de fournir plus de prestations de programmes et de services en langue française dans toute la province.
Comme l’année dernière, le budget provincial 2025-2026 comprend plusieurs initiatives axées sur les communautés francophones de la Saskatchewan et sur la langue française dans la province, y compris :
Deux programmes importants en matière de santé pour les citoyennes et citoyens francophones en Saskatchewan : un programme d’accompagnement pour patients géré par le Réseau santé en français de la Saskatchewan et une ligne d’écoute téléphonique de soutien en santé mentale en français offerte par TAO Tel-Aide.
L’amélioration de prestations de services en français aux résidants de la Saskatchewan grâce au développement de services gouvernementaux interactifs en français et l’amélioration de l’accès aux services bilingues pour les résidants lors des discussions d’affaires avec le gouvernement.
« Accéder à des services en français, que ce soit en matière de santé, de culture ou de soutien aux entreprises, est essentiel à l’édification d’un Canada inclusif et équitable. Grâce à une collaboration étroite entre les gouvernements du Canada et de la Saskatchewan, ces investissements importants contribuent à répondre aux besoins de la communauté fransaskoise. Je remercie le Conseil culturel fransaskois de continuer à faire une réelle différence dans la vie des communautés francophones de la Saskatchewan en renforçant leur vitalité culturelle et sociale. »
– L’honorable Steven Guilbeault, ministre de l’Identité et de la Culture canadiennes et ministre responsable des Langues officielles
Depuis plus de 50 ans, le CCF est l’organisme phare de la province en ce qui concerne le développement et la promotion de la culture francophone.
« Nous saluons le renouvellement de ce financement ainsi que l’augmentation accordée, affirme Anne Brochu Lambert, présidente du CCF. Cet appui s’inscrit dans la continuité. C’est une reconnaissance de la valeur des jalons posés l’an dernier et de l’importance de soutenir le développement professionnel de nos artistes sur le long terme. »
Pour en apprendre davantage sur les programmes et les événements du CCF, visitez le www.culturel.ca.
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Pour plus d’information, contactez :
PCS Media Ministère des Parcs, de la Culture et du Sport Regina Téléphone : 306-798-1020 Courriel : pcsmedia@gov.sk.ca
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman David Scott (GA-13)
WASHINGTON D.C.– Today, Congressman David Scott (GA-13), a senior member of the House Agriculture and House Financial Services Committees, announced a list of legislative priorities in the upcoming Surface Transportation Reauthorization bill. These program requests will help create good-paying jobs for residents and businesses in the 13th district and rebuild Georgia’s roads, bridges, and transit infrastructure.
“In every vote I cast and every bill I fight for, I remain focused on prioritizing the people I represent in the 13th District,” said Congressman David Scott. “This year’s Surface Transportation Reauthorization bill provides us with an opportunity to build on the success of House Democrats’ landmark 2021 Bipartisan Infrastructure bill, which I proudly voted for. The priorities I have requested in this reauthorization will improve public transportation services across the Atlanta metro area. These programs will protect the architectural integrity of our roads, reduce roadway deaths, protect small businesses impacted by transportation construction, and create good paying jobs. I look forward to working closely with the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure to move these priorities across the finish line.”
Reauthorization of surface transportation programs is the process by which Congress renews, revises, and funds major federal transportation programs that support highways, public transit, rail, and safety initiatives. Grants provide funding directly to states, local governmental entities, and regional commissions to improve Georgia’s transportation infrastructure. Reauthorization ensures continuity, funding, and policy direction of core federal transportation programs.
Below are summaries of the surface transportation programs Congressman David Scott requested in 2026:
1. Department of Transportation Wide: Increasing the federal cost-share match for transportation projects from 80% to 90% to allow local entities to more easily complete infrastructure projects. (Atlanta Regional Commission)
2. Department of Transportation Wide: Develop a voluntary centralized product registry to help localities meet existing “Build America, Buy America” requirements. (Atlanta Regional Commission)
3. Federal Highway Administration: Requesting to maintain the 80,000-pound weight limit for trucks on roadways to protect the structural integrity of our roads. (GA-13 Elected Officials)
4. Federal Highway Administration: Increasing the percentage of the Surface Transportation Block Grant (STBG) provided based on population to bring more federal grant funding to the metro Atlanta area. (Atlanta Regional Commission)
5. Federal Railroad Administration, Amtrak, and Federal Transit Administration: Building upon the Infrastructure Investments and Jobs Act by increasing the total public transit and passenger rail investment in the 2026 reauthorization to help transit authorities increase and expand services. (MARTA)
6. Federal Transit Administration: Request to streamline the approval process for capital projects so that local transit authorities like the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) can more quickly extend bus routes across the metro Atlanta region. (MARTA)
7. Federal Highway Administration: Reauthorizing the Safe Streets for All Program (SS4A), which helps local governments create plans and infrastructure to reduce roadway deaths. (League of American Cyclists)
8. Department of Transportation Wide: Reauthorize the Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) Program, to remove barriers for minority- and women-owned businesses in securing contracts with the Department of Transportation. (Congressional Black Caucus)
9. Department of Transportation Wide: Codifying the definition of “labor organization” in infrastructure projects to increase good-paying, union jobs for federal transportation programs. (Transport Workers Union of America)
10. Federal Transit Administration: Incentivizing transit projects to prioritize the needs and concerns of small businesses impacted by transit construction. (MARTA)
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Lori Trahan (D-MA-03)
WASHINGTON, DC – Yesterday, during a House Oversight and Government Reform Committee hearing, Congresswoman Lori Trahan (MA-03) railed against the Trump administration’s plan to turn over Americans’ most personal information that was harvested by Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) staffers to Palantir so the company can build dossiers on every American. “Under the Trump Administration, DOGE aggressively collected sensitive data across agencies, breaking down firewalls that are supposed to protect us. Then came the Executive Order directing agencies to ‘eliminate information silos’ – basically, to share and pool that data,” Congresswoman Trahan said. “And just last week, we learned that Palantir, a Silicon Valley company known for building surveillance tools, is being hired to build AI-powered profiles on every American using the data DOGE collected. It’s hard to overstate how dangerous this is.” CLICK HERE or the image below to watch Trahan’s remarks. A transcript is embedded below.
Last week, the New York Times reported that the Trump administration has drastically increased federal contracting with Palantir, a Silicon Valley tech firm started by Peter Thiel who has donated heavily to Republican campaigns. Palantir has historically worked closely with the Pentagon and the intelligence community to provide big data analytics and AI products, and in recent years has expanded its customer base to include private companies, civilian agencies, and state and local governments. According to the Times report, the company is now being directed to use its AI systems to merge the personal data of Americans collected by different federal agencies into one database, essentially creating a profile on every person in the country. During the hearing today, Trahan pointed out how this type of system could be weaponized by the government against Americans. “Let me just give you an example – a hypothetical, of course, but not a far-fetched one. Sarah is a regular American. She pays her taxes, owns a gun legally, and is raising her daughter Emma on her own. She and Emma rely on Medicaid to get the care they need,” Congresswoman Trahan continued. “One day, Sarah shares a post on Facebook. She’s concerned about something the President said about firearms, and she posts so. But in Washington, an AI-powered monitoring system flags her post. A political appointee digs into her personal data and sends emails to agency heads urging them to take action against her.” “Within days, Sarah’s life falls apart,” Congresswoman Trahan said. “The IRS audits her and claims she owes thousands. Emma’s doctor says her Medicaid isn’t active anymore, and now Sarah has to pay out of pocket. Now, to be clear, this story is made up. But it’s not science fiction. It’s an alarm. It’s a warning.” In March, Trahan announced an effort to rewrite the Privacy Act of 1974, a 50-year-old law designed to protect Americans’ privacy that has not been meaningfully updated since its passage in the wake of the Watergate scandal. Dozens of organizations and individuals have responded to Trahan’s request for information about how to strengthen privacy protections while preserving the ability to modernize and improve the efficiency of government services. “I’ve spent the past three months talking with civil liberties groups, privacy experts, and people across the country – and the one thing is clear: We need stronger privacy laws,” Congresswoman Trahan concluded. “I believe we can protect people’s data and modernize government to prevent fraud, waste, and abuse. These goals are not at odds – they’re linked.” —————————————– Congresswoman Lori Trahan Remarks As Delivered House Oversight and Government Reform Hearing: The Federal Government in the Age of Artificial Intelligence June 5, 2025
Trahan: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I appreciate you allowing me to be a part of this important conversation. Over on the Energy and Commerce Committee, which is where I usually serve, we have a lot of conversations about technology, and one thing is always clear: data is at the heart of AI. That’s why I believe that any serious discussion about AI has to start with a conversation about privacy. And that’s what I’m here to do today – to sound the alarm about a deeply troubling trend: our own government’s growing appetite for Americans’ personal data. Let me just give you an example – a hypothetical, of course, but not a far-fetched one. Sarah is a regular American. She pays her taxes, owns a gun legally, and is raising her daughter Emma on her own. She and Emma rely on Medicaid to get the care they need. One day, Sarah shares a post on Facebook. She’s concerned about something the President said about firearms, and she posts so. But in Washington, an AI-powered monitoring system flags her post. A political appointee digs into her personal data and sends emails to agency heads urging them to take action against her. Within days, Sarah’s life falls apart. The IRS audits her and claims she owes thousands. Emma’s doctor says her Medicaid isn’t active anymore, and now Sarah has to pay out of pocket. Now, to be clear, this story is made up. But it’s not science fiction. It’s an alarm. It’s a warning. Mr. Schneier, you talked in your testimony about coercion as an “adversarial use” of data. What kinds of coercion could bad actors inside the government use if they had detailed profiles on every American?
Mr. Schneier: I would think of it as selective investigation. The government has enormous powers to investigate people, and the question is who they choose to investigate. There’s a famous book from many years ago called “Three Felonies a Day” – that we in our normal lives commit three felonies a day because there are just so many rules and we don’t know them. So given things like that, who you choose to enforce the law on matters. So this data can be used to select people whom to investigate, people whom to charge. And this could be used selectively by any regime – even not the U.S. – any country that wants to do this. Trahan: Unfortunately, this isn’t a hypothetical trend – it’s already happening. Under the Trump Administration, DOGE aggressively collected sensitive data across agencies, breaking down firewalls that are supposed to protect us. Then came the Executive Order directing agencies to “eliminate information silos” – basically, to share and pool that data. And just last week, we learned that Palantir, a Silicon Valley company known for building surveillance tools, is being hired to build AI-powered profiles on every American using the data DOGE collected. It’s hard to overstate how dangerous this is. Mr. Schneier, are you worried that once this data is centralized, future administrations – no matter their party – could weaponize it? I mean, are we on the verge of opening Pandora’s box? Mr. Schneier: I don’t know if Pandora’s Box has been open years ago, but certainly giving this power to a government is something that feels very un-American. There are reasons why this data was siloed. There are reasons why we didn’t have these powers. I mean you can imagine humans doing this well before AI, but we chose not to. So AI can certainly make this more efficient, but yes this is power in the hands of a human who wants to wield it for ill can do that very efficiently. Trahan: We need a national reckoning on privacy. That means strong oversight of this Administration and its tech partners, and real legislation to protect Americans’ rights. You know, I’ve spent the past three months talking with civil liberties groups, privacy experts, and people across the country – and the one thing is clear: We need stronger privacy laws. I believe we can protect people’s data and modernize government to prevent fraud, waste, and abuse. These goals are not at odds – they’re linked. So if you’re listening and you’re concerned about what’s happening – about Big Tech, about government overreach, about your family’s privacy – call my office. Let’s have a national conversation. Let’s protect the freedom our founders fought for and the privacy we all deserve. And one last thing I just wanted to mention because over the course of this hearing, the Chair has suggested that no one on the other side of the aisle called attention to the harms of the Republicans’ ten-year ban on state AI regulations. That’s patently false. We had robust debate on the Energy and Commerce Committee with several Democratic members, myself included, calling attention to this provision during and after our 26-hour markup. In fact, Democrats offered an amendment to strike the language entirely. So Mr. Chair, I ask unanimous consent to enter into the record the results of the recorded vote. Chairman: Without objection. Trahan: Thank you. I yield back. ###
Ground-level particle pollution concentrations are expected to reach the ‘Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups’ (USG) level according to air quality meteorologists at the Maine Department of Environmental Protection.
Smoke from Canadian wildfires continues to move into the Northern Maine region with hourly monitored values of particle pollution in the USG range on Friday morning. With light winds forecasted, these higher values are expected to linger throughout the day. The remainder of Maine is projected to remain in the Moderate range. Meanwhile, ozone is expected to reach the Moderate range for the Southwest and Mid-Coastal regions and Good for the remainder of the state.
On Saturday, weather conditions are expected to remain consistent, and currently, air quality forecasters are not expecting wildfire smoke to move out of the Maine area. The entire state of Maine is expected to remain in the Moderate range for particle pollution since smoke can be slow to clean out. Ozone is expected to be in the Good range statewide. However, please check the website Saturday morning for the finalized forecast.
At elevated levels of particle pollution, children, the elderly, and individuals suffering from respiratory or heart diseases such as asthma, bronchitis, or COPD can experience reduced lung function and irritation. In addition, healthy adults who exert themselves outdoors may also notice these health effects. Affected individuals may notice symptoms such as coughing, shortness of breath, throat irritation, and/or experience mild chest pain.
Some actions you can take to protect your health during periods of elevated particle pollution levels include:
Avoid strenuous outdoor activity
Close windows and circulate indoor air with a fan or air conditioner
If you have asthma, keep your quick-relief medications and action plan handy
Additional health information may be found on the following websites:
In addition to those in a sensitive group, others who are responsible for the welfare of people impacted by poor air quality are urged to use one of the listed tools to follow the Air Quality Forecast:
For more information go to Maine DEPs air quality web site.
For additional information, contact: David R. Madore, Deputy Commissioner david.madore@maine.gov
Headline: Dunn High School Sit-ins to be Featured on N.C. Highway Historical Marker
Dunn High School Sit-ins to be Featured on N.C. Highway Historical Marker jejohnson6
Protests and legal action by American Indian citizens in Harnett County that led to school integration in 1961 soon will be recognized with a North Carolina Highway Historical Marker. The N.C. Highway Historical Marker Program is part of the N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources.
The marker commemorating the Dunn High School sit-ins will be unveiled at 10 a.m. Friday, June 13, during a roadside ceremony at the intersection ofWest Cumberland Street and North Orange Street in Dunn.
Although the American Indians of the Harnett and Sampson County region have been recognized by the state as Coharie Indians since 1971, educational opportunities were limited in the preceding decades. Beginning in 1911, the state authorized separate schools for their children. By 1917, the Maple Grove Indian community that had formed near Dunn was large enough to begin petitioning for a school.
Maple Grove School opened in 1924. As many as 60 children attended at times, often taught by one teacher for grades 1 through 7. After grade 7, students had no school to attend until 1942, when the East Carolina Indian School opened in the New Bethel Indian community a few miles north of Clinton. Children in Harnett and Sampson counties traveled by bus, with the 35-mile trip taking about two hours each way.
By the mid-1950s, parents of students in the area became dissatisfied with the arrangement and began holding informal meetings at Maple Grove School. Between 1956 and 1960, parents of Indian children formally requested that their children be reassigned to Dunn High School but were denied.
On Aug. 30, 1960, Indian parents went to Dunn High School to register their children and were turned away. The next day, students and parents returned. The students quietly entered the classrooms and took seats. Two students were charged with trespassing. These sit-ins lasted several days and ended when a judge issued a restraining order prohibiting Indian parents and students from setting foot on Dunn High School property.
In October 1960, the families filed a lawsuit against the Harnett County Board of Education. A temporary order was signed by federal Judge Albert Reeves directing that the Indian children be admitted to Dunn High School until their eligibility could be determined.
By June 1961, the school board had received 40 applications for reassignment. On June 20, 1961, 20 students were approved for reassignment to Dunn High School, but 26 elementary-age Indian children were denied admission to the city’s elementary school.
The addition of Indian students to Dunn High School went reasonably well, it was reported. Later that year the parents returned to federal court to request that their younger children be admitted to Dunn’s segregated elementary schools. The county resisted, but in January 1964 a federal judge ordered the schools to admit 27 Indian elementary students. The county did not appeal, ending Indian school segregation in Harnett County.
This activism also paved the way for the county’s Black residents to file suit in October 1963. By August 1964, they received a favorable ruling in federal court, ending school segregation for all Harnett County residents.
For more information about the historical marker, visithttps://www.dncr.nc.gov/blog/2025/05/14/dunn-high-school-sit-ins-h-128or call (919) 814-6625.
About the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources The N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources (DNCR) manages, promotes, and enhances the things that people love about North Carolina – its diverse arts and culture, rich history, and spectacular natural areas. Through its programs, the department enhances education, stimulates economic development, improves public health, expands accessibility, and strengthens community resiliency.
The department manages over 100 locations across the state, including 27 historic sites, seven history museums, two art museums, five science museums, four aquariums, 35 state parks, four recreation areas, dozens of state trails and natural areas, the North Carolina Zoo, the State Library, the State Archives, the N.C. Arts Council, the African American Heritage Commission, the American Indian Heritage Commission, the State Historic Preservation Office, the Office of State Archaeology, the Highway Historical Markers program, the N.C. Land and Water Fund, and the Natural Heritage Program. For more information, please visit www.dncr.nc.gov.
Two paintings have been recovered and returned 40 years after they were stolen from the University of New Mexico’s Harwood Museum of Art in Taos, New Mexico.
LAS VEGAS, June 06, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Hyperscale Data, Inc. (NYSE American: GPUS), a diversified holding company (“Hyperscale Data” or the “Company”), today announced that its indirectly wholly owned subsidiary askROI, Inc. (“askROI”), has officially launched an advanced Artificial Intelligence (“AI”) Agent designed to transform customer service operations across industries.
The new AI-powered agent leverages state-of-the-art natural language processing and machine learning capabilities to deliver real-time, context-aware support to customers on a 24/7 basis. Built with enterprise scalability, security, and flexibility at its core, the askROI AI Agent empowers businesses to improve response times, boost customer satisfaction, and significantly reduce support costs.
Key features of the AI Agent:
Natural Language Understanding: Advanced comprehension of customer intent, even in complex or multi-step queries; and
Enterprise Integration: Plug-and-play compatibility with CRM, helpdesk, and analytics platforms.
askROI has already instituted its AI Agent within its own customer service system as well as at Hyperscale Data and is rolling it out further to its family of companies.
“Our mission at askROI is to augment human potential with intelligent tools,” said Darren Magot, President of askROI. “With this launch, we are providing customer service teams with a scalable, reliable, and deeply insightful solution that will evolve with their needs.”
askROI encourages any interested users to visit askROI.com for more details on its AI Agent.
For more information on Hyperscale Data and its subsidiaries, Hyperscale Data recommends that stockholders, investors and any other interested parties read Hyperscale Data’s public filings and press releases available under the Investor Relations section at hyperscaledata.com or available at www.sec.gov.
About Hyperscale Data, Inc.
Through its wholly owned subsidiary Sentinum, Inc., Hyperscale Data owns and operates a data center at which it mines digital assets and offers colocation and hosting services for the emerging AI ecosystems and other industries. Hyperscale Data’s other wholly owned subsidiary, Ault Capital Group, Inc. (“ACG”), is a diversified holding company pursuing growth by acquiring undervalued businesses and disruptive technologies with a global impact.
Hyperscale Data expects to divest itself of ACG on or about December 31, 2025 (the “Divestiture”). Upon the occurrence of the Divestiture, the Company would solely be an owner and operator of data centers to support high-performance computing services, though it may at that time continue to mine Bitcoin. Until the Divestiture occurs, the Company will continue to provide, through ACG and its wholly and majority-owned subsidiaries and strategic investments, mission-critical products that support a diverse range of industries, including an AI software platform, social gaming platform, equipment rental services, defense/aerospace, industrial, automotive, medical/biopharma and hotel operations. In addition, ACG is actively engaged in private credit and structured finance through a licensed lending subsidiary. Hyperscale Data’s headquarters are located at 11411 Southern Highlands Parkway, Suite 190, Las Vegas, NV 89141.
On December 23, 2024, the Company issued one million (1,000,000) shares of a newly designated Series F Exchangeable Preferred Stock (the “Series F Preferred Stock”) to all common stockholders and holders of the Series C Convertible Preferred Stock on an as-converted basis. The Divestiture will occur through the voluntary exchange of the Series F Preferred Stock for shares of Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock of ACG (collectively, the “ACG Shares”). The Company reminds its stockholders that only those holders of the Series F Preferred Stock who agree to surrender such shares, and do not properly withdraw such surrender, in the exchange offer through which the Divestiture will occur, will be entitled to receive the ACG Shares and consequently be stockholders of ACG upon the occurrence of the Divestiture.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. These forward-looking statements generally include statements that are predictive in nature and depend upon or refer to future events or conditions, and include words such as “believes,” “plans,” “anticipates,” “projects,” “estimates,” “expects,” “intends,” “strategy,” “future,” “opportunity,” “may,” “will,” “should,” “could,” “potential,” or similar expressions. Statements that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based on current beliefs and assumptions that are subject to risks and uncertainties.
Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made, and the Company undertakes no obligation to update any of them publicly in light of new information or future events. Actual results could differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement as a result of various factors. More information, including potential risk factors, that could affect the Company’s business and financial results are included in the Company’s filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, including, but not limited to, the Company’s Forms 10-K, 10-Q and 8-K. All filings are available at www.sec.gov and on the Company’s website at hyperscaledata.com.
NOT FOR RELEASE, PUBLICATION OR DISTRIBUTION, IN WHOLE OR IN PART DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, IN AUSTRALIA, CANADA, JAPAN, HONG KONG OR THE UNITED STATES OR ANY OTHER JURISDICTION IN WHICH THE RELEASE, PUBLICATION OR DISTRIBUTION WOULD BE UNLAWFUL. THIS ANNOUNCEMENT DOES NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER OF ANY OF THE SECURITIES DESCRIBED HEREIN.
Reference is made to the stock exchange notice from IDEX Biometrics ASA (the “Company”) on 21 May 2025 regarding the commencement of the subscription period (the “Subscription Period”) in the subsequent offering (the “Subsequent Offering”) consisting of up to 600,000,000 new shares (the “Offer Shares”) in the Company at a subscription price of NOK 0.01 per share (“Offer Price”). The Subscription Period commenced on 22 May 2025 and expired on 5 June 2025.
By the end of the Subscription Period, the Subsequent Offering was 8x oversubscribed. Pursuant to the resolution by the Extraordinary General Meeting dated 11 April 2025, the Company’s board of directors has today resolved to allocate and issue a total of 600,000,000 Offer Shares at the Offer Price in accordance with the allocation criteria set out in the prospectus dated 21 May 2025, raising gross proceeds of NOK 6 million.
Investors that are allocated Offer Shares can access information on the number of Offer Shares allocated to them through VPS on or about 6 June 2025. The due date for payment of the Offer Shares is on 11 June 2025.
Subject to duly and timely payment of the Offer Shares, the share capital increase pertaining to the Subsequent Offering is expected to be registered in the Norwegian Register of Business Enterprises (“NRBE”) on or about 13 June 2025. Following registration of the share capital increase associated with the Subsequent Offering in the NRBE, the Company’s share capital will be NOK 44,316,309.99 consisting of 4,431,630,999 shares, each having a par value of NOK 0.01.
The Offer Shares will be delivered to the VPS accounts of the subscribers shortly thereafter, expected on or about 13 June 2025. A separate announcement will be made when the share capital increase has been registered. The Offer Shares will have equal rights and rank pari passu with the Company’s other shares.
Arctic Securities AS is acting as manager in connection with the Subsequent Offering (the “Manager”). Ræder Bing advokatfirma AS is acting as the Company’s legal advisor.
This announcement is not and does not form a part of any offer to sell, or a solicitation of an offer to purchase, any securities of the Company. Copies of this announcement are not being made and may not be distributed or sent into any jurisdiction in which such distribution would be unlawful or would require registration or other measures.
The securities referred to in this announcement have not been and will not be registered under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and accordingly may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act and in accordance with applicable U.S. state securities laws. The Company does not intend to register any part of the offering in the United States or to conduct a public offering of securities in the United States.
In any EEA Member State, this communication is only addressed to and is only directed at qualified investors in that Member State within the meaning of the Prospectus Regulation, i.e., only to investors who can receive the offer without an approved prospectus in such EEA Member State. The “Prospectus Regulation” means Regulation (EU) 2017/1129, as amended (together with any applicable implementing measures) in any Member State. This communication is only being distributed to and is only directed at persons in the United Kingdom that are (i) investment professionals falling within Article 19(5) of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Financial Promotion) Order 2005, as amended (the “Order”) or (ii) high net worth entities, and other persons to whom this announcement may lawfully be communicated, falling within Article 49(2)(a) to (d) of the Order (all such persons together being referred to as “relevant persons”).
This communication must not be acted on or relied on by persons who are not relevant persons. Any investment or investment activity to which this communication relates is available only for relevant persons and will be engaged in only with relevant persons. Persons distributing this communication must satisfy themselves that it is lawful to do so.
The issue, subscription or purchase of shares in the Company is subject to specific legal or regulatory restrictions in certain jurisdictions. Neither the Company nor the Managers assume any responsibility in the event there is a violation by any person of such restrictions. The distribution of this release may in certain jurisdictions be restricted by law. Persons into whose possession this release comes should inform themselves about and observe any such restrictions. Any failure to comply with these restrictions may constitute a violation of the securities laws of any such jurisdiction. Matters discussed in this announcement may constitute forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts and may be identified by words such as “believe”, “expect”, “anticipate”, “strategy”, “intends”, “estimate”, “will”, “may”, “continue”, “should” and similar expressions. The forward-looking statements in this release are based upon various assumptions, many of which are based, in turn, upon further assumptions. Although the Company believe that these assumptions were reasonable when made, these assumptions are inherently subject to significant known and unknown risks, uncertainties, contingencies and other important factors which are difficult or impossible to predict and are beyond their control. Such risks, uncertainties, contingencies and other important factors could cause actual events to differ materially from the expectations expressed or implied in this release by such forward-looking statements. The Company does not make any guarantee that the assumptions underlying the forward-looking statements in this announcement are free from errors nor does it accept any responsibility for the future accuracy of the opinions expressed in this announcement or any obligation to update or revise the statements in this announcement to reflect subsequent events. You should not place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements in this announcement. The information, opinions and forward-looking statements contained in this announcement speak only as at its date and are subject to change without notice. The Company does not undertake any obligation to review, update, confirm, or to release publicly any revisions to any forward-looking statements to reflect events that occur or circumstances that arise in relation to the content of this announcement. This announcement is for information purposes only and is not to be relied upon in substitution for the exercise of independent judgment. It is not intended as investment advice and under no circumstances is it to be used or considered as an offer to sell, or a solicitation of an offer to buy any securities or a recommendation to buy or sell any securities of the Company. The distribution of this announcement and other information may be restricted by law in certain jurisdictions. Persons into whose possession this announcement or such other information should come are required to inform themselves about and to observe any such restrictions. This announcement is an advertisement and is not a prospectus for the purposes of the Prospectus Regulation as implemented in any Member State.
About IDEX Biometrics:
IDEX Biometrics ASA (OSE: IDEX) is a global technology leader in fingerprint biometrics, offering authentication solutions across payments, access control, and digital identity. Our solutions bring convenience, security, peace of mind and seamless user experiences to the world. Built on patented and proprietary sensor technologies, integrated circuit designs, and software, our biometric solutions target card-based applications for payments and digital authentication. As an industry-enabler we partner with leading card manufacturers and technology companies to bring our solutions to market. For more information, visit www.idexbiometrics.com
About this notice:
This notice was issued by Kristian Flaten, CFO, on 6 June 2025 at 17:20 CET on behalf of IDEX Biometrics ASA. The information is published in accordance with section 5-8 of the Norwegian Securities Trading Act (STA) and released in accordance with section 5-12 of the STA.
We used actuarial modelling to help the Department for Work and Pensions assess the effectiveness of possible options to regulate superfunds.
Credit: iStockPhoto
We helped the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) with its response – Consolidation of defined benefit schemes – to a 2018 consultation. The response set out that the proposed authorisation regime will assess whether a superfund:
has a viable business model
is financially sustainable
is well governed
has a high probability of being able to pay member’s benefits when required
Modelled and tested
The Government Actuary’s Department (GAD) assessed possible regulatory parameters to determine if a suitable authorisation regime might meet superfund policy objectives.
We modelled an example superfund, as at 31 December 2022, to test a range of technical provision (TP) discount rates, profit triggers and some possible investment strategies. We used these techniques to determine expected outcomes for the superfund members and investors.
Results
Modelling results suggest a TP discount rate of around gilts plus 0.75% and a profit trigger of 150% of the capital requirement for authorisation may come closest to achieving superfund policy objectives at the effective date of the calculations.
Under the modelling assumptions this provided a balance between superfund commercial viability and reasonable cost of entry against a controlled risk to members’ benefits from superfund failure.
The DWP used this analysis to support the consultation response to move forward with plans for a superfund regulatory regime. DWP will determine the suitable levels of risk and affordability required for the final regulatory framework.
GAD’s analysis
Report co-author and Deputy Government Actuary Matt Gurden said: “This was a complex and detailed analysis of the wide range of factors which can affect superfunds.
“We modelled an example superfund, in discussion with DWP. The long-term objective was for this example scheme to reach a buyout level of funding when most non-pensioners had retired.”
The Government today said it tested 58 samples of Haribo candy products in Hong Kong and none of them contained tetrahydrocannabinol, a cannabis component.
The Government Laboratory tested the 58 samples that had already been removed from shelves in the city, after overseas reports suggested that Haribo candies may be contaminated and tested positive for cannabis.
Upon receiving relevant information, the Food & Environmental Hygiene Department’s Centre for Food Safety contacted local food traders and consulted authorities in the Netherlands.
The affected batch of products was not imported into Hong Kong, the Government said.
For prudence sake, the centre had previously informed the trade to temporarily remove the brand’s candies from shelves. The relevant traders have been informed of the test results.
The Government will continue to closely monitor the situation and take appropriate action as needed.
The Army Mission – our purpose – remains constant: To deploy, fight and win our nation’s wars by providing ready, prompt & sustained land dominance by Army forces across the full spectrum of conflict as part of the joint force.
Interested in joining the U.S. Army? Visit:
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Source: United Kingdom UK Parliament (video statements)
The Journal Office holds a complete record of all decisions made in the House of Commons Chamber since 1547.
A Journal is created for every Parliament session. Two newly printed and bound Journals have arrived to be added to the shelves.
The Journal is created from a document called Votes and Proceedings which is produced every day by a team of clerks, including Gavin.
Curious to find out more? You can find Votes and Proceedings by date online https://commonsbusiness.parliament.uk/search?SearchTerm=Votes+and+Proceedings
Source: United States House of Representatives – Wyoming Congresswoman Harriet Hageman
Washington, D.C. – Today Congresswoman Harriet Hageman introduced a bill aimed at halting the District of Columbia’s efforts to codify Chevron deference, a practice that would empower unelected bureaucrats to interpret and enforce laws without adequate judicial oversight.
“Washington, D.C.’s effort to codify Chevron deference is a direct response to the Supreme Court’s recent decision overturning Chevronand is nothing more than a political maneuver to give more power to unelected bureaucrats,” Hageman stated. “My bill ensures D.C. courts maintain their independence and upholds the principle that judges, not agencies, should interpret the law when there is a dispute. We cannot allow the administrative state to circumvent the Constitution by granting agencies unchecked power.”
The legislation underscores the role of Congress in overseeing Washington, DC and limiting the reach of administrative agencies to substantively change the law through “interpretation,” thereby reinforcing the principle that courts must exercise independent judgment in interpreting the law.
The bill reflects a broader movement across the country to protect judicial review, preserve due process for litigants in their disputes with the government, require agencies to comply with the law as it is written rather than as they would like it to be, and prevent the growth of the administrative state. Through this legislation, Congress can help advance the relief achieved in Loper Bright by blocking these political efforts in Washington, D.C.
Background:
For decades the courts outsourced their interpretative authority pursuant to the judicially created doctrine known as Chevron deference, which required judges to “defer” to an agency’s interpretation of the meaning of statutes. In Loper Bright Enterprises v. Raimondo, the Supreme Court overturned the Chevron deference doctrine, requiring courts to independently interpret the law and curbing unchecked agency power.
In March, the D.C. Council enacted a temporary law requiring courts to defer to the mayor’s and agencies’ interpretations of the law. This measure, which is intended to remain in effect until October 18, is part of an effort to overtly incorporate the deference doctrine into law, thereby undermining the authority of both elected officials and the judicial branch.
Chevron deference undermined judicial independence, put the thumb on the scale in favor of administrative agencies and against our citizens and businesses, and allowed agencies to rewrite the law in real time. Mayor Bowser and the D.C. Council’s support on the proposal make it clear that this move is politically motivated, aiming to consolidate power rather than protect the interests of the public.
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments
Press release
TRA investigates hot-rolled steel plate from South Korea
The TRA has opened an anti-dumping investigation into imports of hot-rolled steel plate from South Korea.
The Trade Remedies Authority has today (6 June 2025) opened a new investigation into imports of hot-rolled steel plate from South Korea.
Hot-rolled steel plates are flat steel products often used in bridge construction, machine manufacturing and shipbuilding.
The new investigation is in response to an application by UK producer Spartan UK Ltd, which has alleged that imports of hot-rolled steel plate products from South Korea are being dumped into the UK and that these dumped imports are causing injury to domestic industry.
According to the TRA’s initial analysis, imports of hot-rolled steel plate from South Korea have grown from 14 million tonnes in 2021 to more than 40 million tonnes last year.
Where the TRA recommends a remedy is necessary, it will conduct an Economic Interest Test to assess whether the implementation of the remedy is in the UK’s economic interest.
Interested parties can contribute to this investigation by visiting the TRA’s public file.
Background information
The period of investigation for this case will be between April 1 2024 and March 31 2025.
The Trade Remedies Authority is the UK body that investigates whether new trade remedy measures are needed to counter unfair import practices and unforeseen surges of imports.
The TRA is an arm’s length body of the Department for Business and Trade.
UK industries concerned about imports have been able to submit applications for a new trade remedy measure since January 2021. These applications are considered by the TRA to see if there are grounds for an investigation.
“President Trump’s America First Economic Agenda has created a BOOMING economy — jobs are up, unemployment is down, wages are increasing, and inflation is dead. More than 139,000 good jobs were added to the private sector in May, all accounted for by American-born workers. Americans should continue to trust in President Trump, who continues to beat expectations.” — White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt
President Donald J. Trump’s America First agenda is making its mark on the American economy — with explosive private sector growth, job gains, and wage increases for American workers.
Look no further than today’s jobs report for proof:
Construction: +4,000 new jobs — the fourth straight month of job increases
Wages for everyday Americans continue to rise, with real average hourly earnings up by nearly 4% over the past year — far higher than economists’ expectations.
Since President Trump took office, real disposable personal income has risen at a 7.5% annualized pace — more than three times the pace than the final year of the Biden Administration.
Native-born American workers now account for ALL job gains since President Trump took office in January — reversing the opposite trend from the past two years.
Since President Trump took office, 99.8% of job gains have been in the private sector. During the final two years of the Biden Administration, one in four jobs created were in government.
Here’s what they’re saying:
Council of Economic Advisers Chair Steve Miran: “The President is succeeding in creating hundreds of thousands of jobs since he came into office — more than half a million jobs since he came into office — and they’re all going to native-born Americans.”
Economist Steve Moore: “This is a blockbuster economy we’re seeing … 4.5% GDP for the second quarter, low inflation — this is telling us right now the jobs are out there for people who want them.”
Job Creators Network CEO Alfredo Ortiz: “The small business economy is growing and the private economy is growing. This is exactly what Donald Trump wanted to do for reversing everything that Biden had done … It’s so good to see that we’re actually creating private economy jobs again.”
Fox Business Network’s Cheryl Casone: “The markets might be encouraged by the fact that you aren’t seeing job losses … that means that people are maybe going to start spend this summer. They might go actually take a trip they weren’t planning to take — and look, gas prices are lower right now. We’ve got great gas prices, so I think this could be a really good economic story.”
ERShares CEO Joel Shulman, Ph.D.: “There’s optimism here on the horizon … CPI last month was a catalyst. I think we’re going to see another catalyst on June 11, coupled with this better-than-expected jobs report — so I think things are looking more optimistic.”
The Government of Saskatchewan’s Crown oil and natural gas public offering, held on Tuesday, June 3, 2025, raised $9,128,114.78 for the province, with the Estevan area generating the bulk of the bids and revenue.
Seventy-one parcels received acceptable bids, covering a total area of 12,586.646 hectares.
The Estevan area in the southeast brought in $6,533,373.21 for 34 leases totalling 3,631.861 hectares.
In the northwest, the Lloydminster area generated $1,983,553.17 in revenue for 17 leases and one exploration licence totalling 4,830.780 hectares.
Bids in the Kindersley area brought in $547,467.36, while offers in the Swift Current area brought in $63,721.04.
Elk Run Resources Ltd. made the highest bid and dollars-per-hectare bid, offering $2,361,846.93 for a 291.486 hectare lease southeast of Lampman in the Estevan area. The bid works out to an average of $8,102.78 per hectare.
This is the second of six oil and gas public offerings for the 2025-26 fiscal year, over which time the Government of Saskatchewan has raised $21,111,246.03
Several factors affect public offering activity, including changes in oil and gas prices, land availability, geological and technological constraints and various market conditions.
For more information about oil and gas public offerings in Saskatchewan, please visit: Schedule of Public Offerings webpage on saskatchewan.ca.
As part of the annual compliance audit, SMSF auditors must confirm that trustees have properly signed and stored their trustee declarations. Auditors must verify this for anyone who:
became a trustee or director of a corporate trustee after 30 June 2007, or
completed an education direction.
Trustees must keep their signed declarations for as long as the declaration remains relevant to the fund or 10 years – whichever period is longer. A declaration remains relevant while the individual serves as a trustee or director of the fund’s corporate trustee.
Auditors can confirm trustee declarations are signed and stored correctly by:
sighting a signed trustee declaration for each person required to sign one and keeping a copy in the audit file, and
receiving written confirmation from trustees that they have signed and stored the declarations in line with record keeping requirements.
Some auditors miss checking whether trustees have signed and kept declarations as required under section 104A of the Superannuation Industry (Supervision) Act 1993 and this mistake can lead to compliance action.
Compliance audit of an SMSF has further information on our expectations of auditors when conducting the compliance audit.
Looking for the latest news for SMSFs? You can stay up to date by visiting our SMSF newsroom and subscribingExternal Link to our monthly SMSF newsletter.
Source: US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
SPC AC 061214
Day 1 Convective Outlook NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK 0714 AM CDT Fri Jun 06 2025
Valid 061300Z – 071200Z
…THERE IS AN ENHANCED RISK OF SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS THIS AFTERNOON AND EVENING OVER PARTS OF THE CENTRAL AND SOUTHERN HIGH PLAINS…
…THERE IS A SLIGHT RISK OF SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS OVER PORTIONS OF THE MID MS AND TN VALLEYS…AND OVER SOUTHERN NEW ENGLAND….
…SUMMARY… Scattered severe thunderstorms are expected across portions of the central and southern High Plains. Very large hail, damaging winds, and a tornado threat is anticipated. Isolated severe thunderstorms are also possible extending into the Tennessee/Ohio Valleys, and over parts of southern New England. Damaging winds are the primary concern in these areas.
…Mid MS and TN Valleys… Morning radar loop shows a mature quasi-linear MCS over eastern OK tracking into western AR. This system has produced sporadic severe wind reports overnight, and may continue to pose that risk for a few more hours. Some weakening is expected through late morning, with eventual rejuvenation of storms as they spread across parts of KY/TN and vicinity. Model guidance varies on extent of severe storm coverage. However, favorable westerly flow aloft, dewpoints in the 70s, and pockets of strong daytime heating will encourage intense thunderstorm re-development.
…High Plains… The forecast scenario for today is similar to yesterday, with two areas of focus for severe thunderstorm activity. One is along the CO foothills, where moist/southeasterly low-level winds and moderately steep mid-level lapse rates will yield afternoon MLCAPE of 1000-2000 J/kg. Storms are expected to intensify by mid-late afternoon along the foothills and spread southeastward into the adjacent plains. Forecast soundings show generally straight-line hodographs, which will promote splitting supercells capable of very large hail and a few tornadoes. Activity may organize upscale during the evening over southwest KS and spread across OK overnight.
Farther south, yesterday’s and last night’s convection has reinforced a surface outflow boundary which will extend across west TX. Similar to yesterday, intense supercells are expected to form in vicinity of this boundary during the late afternoon, posing another risk of very large hail and a few tornadoes.
..Southern New England… A plume of seasonally high PW values extends across the OH Valley into southern New England. Modest air mass destabilization is expected by mid day with an axis of 1000-2000 J/kg SBCAPE expected to extend across southern New England by 18z. While deep layer shear is not forecast to be that strong, adequate flow should exist for at least some organization. Locally damaging winds are the primary concern with storms that form along this instability axis.
..Hart/Bentley.. 06/06/2025
CLICK TO GET WUUS01 PTSDY1 PRODUCT
NOTE: THE NEXT DAY 1 OUTLOOK IS SCHEDULED BY 1630Z
Source: US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Current Convective Watches (View What is a Watch? clip)Updated: Fri Jun 6 15:16:05 UTC 2025 No watches are currently valid
Archived Convective ProductsTo view convective products for a previous day, type in the date you wish to retrieve (e.g. 20040529 for May 29, 2004). Data available since January 1, 2004.
EL PASO, Texas – A federal jury in El Paso convicted a Venezuelan national for conspiracy to harbor aliens.
According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, Marcel Eliezer Zapata-Colmenarez, 26, opened the door of his residence on Jan. 30 to find agents from the U.S. Border Patrol and other federal law enforcement agencies present. With Zapata-Colmenarez’s consent, the agents entered and searched the residence, finding piles of clothes on the floor, wet and muddy clothing hanging in a closet, and other signs consistent with harboring and smuggling illegal aliens. Zapata-Colmenarez also granted consent for agents to search his cell phone, leading to the discovery of proof-of-life videos—videos sent by recently-crossed illegal aliens acknowledging that they had been smuggled with the assistance of a smuggling network. Zapata-Colmenarez later admitted that he accepted an offer to harbor illegal aliens in his apartment and was paid $50 per alien.
Zapata-Colmenarez was arrested Jan. 30 and indicted on Feb. 26 for one count of conspiracy to harbor aliens and one count of harboring aliens for financial gain. His sentencing hearing is currently scheduled for Aug. 26, 2025, and he faces up to 10 years in federal prison along with a fine of up to $250,000.
U.S. Attorney Justin R. Simmons for the Western District of Texas made the announcement.
The U.S. Border Patrol investigated the case with assistance from the FBI and Homeland Security Investigations.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Scott Wisniewski and Mathew Engelbaum are prosecuting the case.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).
Since the end of the cold war, the relevance of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (Nato) has regularly been questioned, even by its most prominent leaders. Its members, therefore, find it necessary to remind each other and the world of its value from time to time.
The latest example of this is the UK government’s new strategic defence review, which announces a “Nato-first” posture.
Nato has long been a cornerstone of UK foreign, defence and security policies. But this marks a particularly strident prioritisation of the organisation. It comes just a few years after Boris Johnson’s government began moving the country’s foreign and defence policy priorities towards the Indo-Pacific.
It tells us much about how Keir Starmer’s administration sees the UK’s place in the world in an unsettled era: as both an influential ally of the US and a reliable partner to European powers, eager to maintain regional and global influence.
Signed in 1949, the North Atlantic treaty committed its original 12 members to collective security: an attack on one would be an attack on all. In the shadow of the second world war, Nato went further than the nascent United Nations in its defence and security commitments. It brought together a somewhat eclectic mix of states straddling the Atlantic, from the North American behemoths of the US and Canada to tiny Iceland and Luxembourg, the dictatorship of Salazar’s Portugal and the democracies of Norway and Belgium.
The UK’s participation was largely heralded across an enthusiastic parliament. Winston Churchill, then leader of the opposition, praised this new “fraternal association”. The foreign secretary, Ernest Bevin, celebrated the community of interest [and] cooperation with like-minded people”. UK politicians saw Nato as a means to connect with the US and Canada in particular.
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The language at the time also reflected the casting of the Soviet Union as a threat to European security. Although the UK welcomed Nato as a liberal democratic organisation dominated by English-speaking peoples, its primary purpose was always to act as a strategic counterweight to the influence and encroachment of the Soviet Union in Europe. Hence the claimed irrelevance of Nato in the 1990s after the cold war, and its renewed importance today in the face of Russian aggression.
As always with UK foreign and defence policies, the relationship with the US is paramount. The UK’s Nato-first position is no exception. Starmer clearly believes he can forge a working relationship with the US president. Although seemingly far from natural bedfellows (although neither were John F. Kennedy and Harold Macmillan or even, politics aside, Ronald Reagan and Margaret Thatcher), Donald Trump appears unthreatened by the sober, understated Starmer.
The thought within Starmer’s foreign policy circle may well be that a loud and unequivocal statement of the UK’s commitment to Nato could help persuade Trump to stay the course with an organisation that he has often threatened to pull the US out of.
If, on the other hand, Starmer et al are more pessimistic and fear Trump making good on his threats, Nato clearly remains an attractive proposition in terms of the UK’s defence policy. While it does commit the UK to the defence of, say, the Baltic States and Finland, by the same token, Nato puts the UK in lockstep with fellow nuclear power, France, as well as the growing military power of Germany and significant others such as Turkey. In uncertain times, such allies are to be valued.
Global influence
Even before Brexit, a fear of losing global and regional influence has stalked every British government since 1945.
Questioning the wisdom of the departure from the EU remains a Westminster taboo. Yet one might forgive the incoming Labour government for feeling the chill of isolation while Trump occupies the White House and Russia threatens the continent. Nato thus also represents a valuable opportunity to retain regional and global influence. Note the language in Starmer’s introduction to the report when he refers to a desire to “lead in Nato”.
While the other defenestrated European colonial powers found post-1945 influence through the Francophonie or becoming leading civilian forces in what became the EU, the UK had the Commonwealth and Nato. These were the prime proxies for the lost colonial influence, even during the long EU interregnum.
Without the EU and with a more restive Commonwealth, Nato is of even greater importance. Although France’s president Emmanuel Macron is generally enthusiastic about Nato, there is a history of French ambivalence. The UK could well make the claim to be the most steadfastly committed of all the larger European members.
This renewed commitment to Nato from the UK government is consistent with the historic prioritisation of the organisation by successive administrations. The difference here is the urgency of the context: Europe faces an unprecedented military threat, while the US president is unpredictable and dubious in his attitude towards continental defence.
The Nato-first stance is a recognition of grim, strategic realities and also a “Hail Mary”, both pragmatic and hopeful. The UK is not alone in desperately hoping to keep the US commitment to European security alive. The strategic review’s commitment to a Nato-first policy may help – at the very least, it signals a UK administration keen to maximise its influence and retain robust ties with European allies.
Nick Whittaker does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
The UK is facing a security crisis. Great power competition has returned, and the threat of hostility from Russia, China, Iran and North Korea is increasing. The west can no longer assume military superiority, and the UK can no longer depend unconditionally on the US. The character of war itself is changing as new technology is introduced.
This is the situation laid out in the latest strategic defence review. The implications for the UK are clear: the country must prepare for high-intensity, protracted war, not counter-insurgency operations like Iraq or Afghanistan.
In order to address these challenges, the review says, “the UK must pivot to a new way of war.” Nuclear weapons are important here, and will be renewed and expanded. But the recommendations in the review focus on conventional weaponry and, above all, new remote and autonomous technology.
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The ongoing Ukraine war underpins much of the thinking about the military changes the UK needs to make. That conflict has demonstrated a significant change in the character of 21st-century warfare. Most obviously, it has involved a proliferation of cheap, expendable remote systems, some of which have autonomous capabilities.
Remote first-person-view drones, and drones controlled by unjammable fibre-optic cables, have become ubiquitous on the frontline – reconnoitring, targeting and striking troops on both sides. They have made conventional strategic manoeuvres at the front almost impossible, while also striking civilian and military targets deep in Russia and Ukraine.
At sea, uncrewed naval drones have struck Russian shipping and infrastructure in Crimea. The Ukrainian armed forces have also developed a digital battle management system and live-data, AI-enabled targeting system, drawing together information from satellite, open-source, ground-sensor and signal intelligence. This has allowed Ukrainian commanders to see deeply across the battlespace, and target Russian forces with an unprecedented depth and precision.
As a result of remote systems enabled by digitised targeting, military forces have become exponentially more lethal in close battle – and also in the deep.
The strategic defence review aims for the UK to incorporate these two elements into its war-fighting capabilities, recommending massive investment in remotely controlled and autonomous systems.
It calls for the UK to create a “leading, tech-enabled defence power”. Part of this involves integrating UK forces and the construction of a unified “digital targeting web”. This would be fed by sensors from every domain (land, air and sea) so that all forces have access to the same intelligence and a common operating picture. The idea is that a target identified in one domain might be prosecuted by forces in another, to “enhance the Armed Forces’ precision and lethality at scale and reach”.
In order to achieve this, the review also calls for improved and more innovative relationships between British defence, tech and industry. Once again, a lot has been learnt from Ukraine, whose industrial and tech sectors have been integrated into the war from the start.
The missing link
The review’s authors – three external experts led by former defence secretary and Nato chief, Lord Robertson – are correct to highlight the increasing importance of remote (and sometimes autonomous) systems in warfare. They are clear that military forces should increasingly draw on live data, processed by artificial intelligence, to help them understand the battlespace, plan and target. The UK must remain competitive with peer enemies who are developing these capabilities.
However, even assuming that all of this is affordable at 2.5% of the UK’s GDP from 2027 (a 0.2% rise from where defence spending is now), there is a serious gap in the review’s proposals.
As a scholar who has studied war in the 21st century, and has just completed a book on AI and war, I believe the document vastly overexaggerates the capability of AI and autonomy. For example, it states:
In modern warfare, simple metrics such as the number of people and platforms deployed are outdated and inadequate. It is through dynamic networks of crewed, uncrewed, and autonomous assets and data flows that lethality and military effect are now created.
This analysis presumes that autonomy will be vital in the future, and implies it will displace the need for large numbers of human combatants. In fact, true autonomy is still rare in combat – and will remain so, according to my research.
Even if autonomous drone swarms appear, they will not eliminate the need for human programmers or operators behind the frontline. AI has limited military functions which require a huge amount of human input.
Defence secretary John Healey being shown unmanned and autonomous units on a demonstration. UK MOD Crown Copyright 2025
The review prioritises preparedness for protracted inter-state war. But it ignores the blindingly obvious from Ukraine: the imperative of mass.
The Ukrainian frontline combat forces have expanded to about 300,000 – Ukraine claims its whole force, including allied fighters, is around 1 million. There are about 400,000 Russian combat troops in Ukraine. Casualties have been eye-watering: the Russians have suffered about 800,000 casualties, the Ukrainians nearly 500,000.
In my view, the strategic defence review has been mesmerised by the prospect of new technology – and, perhaps, by some wishful thinking.
In 21st-century war, troop mass matters. Fleets of drones and the most sophisticated digital targeting will be irrelevant without human forces willing to fight and to operate them.
What is the review’s answer to this? While acknowledging that in the cold war, the British fielded forces of 311,000, UK regular armed forces are to remain the same size: 136,000, of which the army will consist of only 73,000 troops and staff.
The review proposes that active reserves (volunteer, part-time forces) will be increased by 20%, and that the strategic reserve (ex-regulars) “is central to military mobilisation and must be reinvigorated”.
It is not surprising that the review’s authors have offered such thin solutions to the question of mass. There has been profound resistance from successive governments, Whitehall and civil society to any expansion in the size of British military forces in the UK. But it is doubtful that an expanded reserve and a reinvigorated strategic reserve will be remotely enough for the UK to fight and win a war of any kind in the coming decade.
Anthony King 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.
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments
Press release
Consultation launched into permit ‘minded to’ decision
The Environment Agency has launched a consultation into its ‘minded to’ decision to issue a permit to a Bury landfill.
Valencia Waste Management applied for an environmental permit to increase the permitted quantities for treatment of mixed non-hazardous waste at its Pilsworth South waste management facility at Pilsworth Road.
After reviewing 291 responses from the original consultation last year the Environment Agency is ‘minded to’ issue the environmental permit.
This means after exploring the issues and concerns that have been raised, it can’t find any reason to refuse the application, but is yet to make a final decision.
The consultation into the ‘minded to’ decision documents will close at the end of Thursday 3 July 2025.
EA wants to ‘hear people’s views’
Nigel Glasgow, Area Environment Manager for the Environment Agency in Greater Manchester,
We have carefully considered all the documents provided to us by Valencia Waste Management as well as the consultation comments and currently can’t find any reason to refuse the permit application.
We want to hear people’s views on the draft decision and those interested are encouraged to view the draft documents and provide comments.
We will make our final decision once we have reviewed the responses to this consultation.
The purpose of the treatment is to recover the metals, wood and plastic for recycling, and to prepare the combustible wastes for use in energy recovery off-site.
The residual waste will, where possible, be used in landfill engineering, otherwise it will be disposed of in the landfill.
The treatment will take place in a purpose-built building with specialised equipment capable of treating up to 250,000 tonnes per year.
Legal requirements
The original consultation into this application took place ended on 23 August 2024.
The Environment Agency may only refuse a permit application if it does not meet one or more of the legal requirements under environmental legislation, including if it will have an unacceptable impact on the environment or harm human health.
If all the requirements are met, it is legally obliged to issue a permit.
The draft decision document explains the Environment Agency’s decision-making and outlines how it has considered the comments from the original consultation. The draft permit outlines the conditions would need to meet if the permit is granted.
The Environment Agency will only issue the permit if it is satisfied the operator could comply with the permit conditions and has appropriate systems in place to operate the incinerator without causing harm to the environment, human health or wildlife.
Environmental permits set out strict legal conditions by which an operator must comply in order to protect people and the environment. Should an environmental permit be issued, the Environment Agency has responsibility for enforcing its conditions.
Our powers include enforcement notices, suspension and revocation of permits, fines and ultimately criminal sanctions, including prosecution.
We may only refuse a permit if it does not meet one or more of the legal requirements under environmental legislation, including if it will have a significant impact on the environment or harm human health. If all the requirements are met, we are legally required to issue a permit.
Consultation responses
Responses to the consultation can be made electronically.
Those unable to view the documents or make representation via the consultation website or by email should contact the Environment Agency on 03708 506 506.
Source: State University Higher School of Economics – State University Higher School of Economics –
Three groups, more than 100 students, successfully completed the MBA program. Over a year and a half, they completed 16 educational modules, including two on-site ones: to China and to Lake Baikal. The 2025 graduates include entrepreneurs, founders of successful businesses, and top managers of leading Russian companies: Sber, VTB, Rostelecom, NOVATEK, Rosatom, Yandex.Technologies, Almaz-Antey Concern, SKB Kontur, Belkacar, SONET Group, and others.
First Deputy Director of the Higher School of Business
“The MBA program not only provides knowledge, but also strong networking in the leadership community; for a modern entrepreneur and top manager, it is extremely important to remain in the educational environment and continue learning throughout life.”
The updated MBA program of the HSE Graduate School of Business covers key areas of modern management: from strategic management and corporate finance to marketing, operations management and innovation, including the use of AI in business.
All graduates note an important advantage of the HSE Graduate School of Business: a very strong team of teachers, which unites both practitioners, leaders of successful businesses, and outstanding representatives of academic science from across the HSE University.
Positioning itself as a first-choice business school, HSE has invested a lot of effort into developing its MBA program, including innovative educational formats: business simulations, interactive projects, group assignments to develop practical skills and networking among program students.
The hallmarks of the MBA program at the Higher School of Business at the National Research University Higher School of Economics are effective on-site modules. The leadership intensive is traditionally held on Lake Baikal and is aimed at developing team management skills, crisis management, and the ability to make decisions under stress and in situations of uncertainty.
And the recent overseas module was organized jointly with Fudan University, one of the leading centers of business education in Asia. The university is among the best universities in China and Asia, widely recognized for its high level of teaching, quality of scientific research and international programs in the field of economics and management. The overseas modules are the leaders in the most positive feedback from the program participants.
The final part of the program was the defense of final projects. Participants presented solutions for a wide range of industries: from energy and tourism to industrial production and digital services. Among the initiatives: development of a new data management product, launch and development of a business community, a service for generating income from excess energy capacity, a strategy for bringing self-propelled electric lifts to market.
The graduation ceremony took place at the HSE campus. The graduates were congratulated by the program teachers and the business school management.
Head of the MBA program at the Higher School of Business, National Research University Higher School of Economics
“Our program is an intensive path of personal and professional transformation. We see how students change over the course of a year and a half: their confidence grows, their horizons expand, their ability to make strategic decisions strengthens. It is especially valuable that they leave the program with a clear understanding of their role in business and with a readiness for new challenges.”
During their studies, participants not only expanded their professional horizons, but also built new strong horizontal connections—the alumni community remains one of the program’s key resources.
Ekaterina Artemenkova
Director of the Financial Department, Insurance Company “Guardia”
“I asked my classmates to name three associations with the program and collected them in a word cloud. The most frequent word turned out to be unexpected, but very accurate – “pleasure”. In the program, we learned to enjoy studying, communicating, challenges. And, perhaps, the main thing we learned was the ability to maintain inner calm in the most stressful situations and to see opportunities even in difficulties.”
Andrey Dementyev
Founder of the family project “Elephant Park” in Sochi
“Over these one and a half years, we have not only mastered the tools of strategic management, Agile and financial analysis – we have learned to see value in people, in the team, in the environment. We have learned from each other, admired, supported – and it is in this atmosphere that ideas, projects and a real team are born.”
Olga Komleva
Director of IT Solutions Department, SONET Group of Companies
“This morning, when I was driving to the airport, I was thinking that this is my last trip as part of the MBA program. It is a warm sadness and great pride at the same time. We have gained knowledge, found friends, and most importantly, made the right choice by coming here. I would like to wish everyone not to lose interest, to study and move forward.”
The graduation of the HSE Graduate School of Business MBA program has become a significant contribution to the preparation of innovative responsible leaders who change organizations and the world. Start of a new cohort MBA programs is scheduled for this fall and the admissions campaign has already begun.
Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.
