Latest news with #MDA
Yahoo
13 minutes ago
- General
- Yahoo
Huckabee wants to remove his yellow pin, because it would mean all the hostages came home
The US ambassador to Israel also attended the dedication of an ambulance donated by Evangelicals. One would expect the dedication of an ambulance to take place in the parking lot of a hospital, health clinic, or the organization to which the ambulance was donated - but not in a museum. However, there are always exceptions to the rule, and the bulletproof ambulance donated to Magen David Adom by Samaritan's Purse and Harvest Christian Fellowship was dedicated at the Tower of David Museum in Jerusalem just a few hours prior to the onset of Shavuot. The date and the venue were not coincidental. King David, who made Jerusalem the capital of the Jewish people, was born on Shavuot, and the museum bears his name. The ambulance which was the 42nd donated by Samaritan's Purse since October 2023 massacre by Hamas, was dedicated in the presence of scores of MDA personnel, including MDA global president and former Israel ambassador to the UN, Gilad Erdan past and present MKs and local authority officials, numerous Evangelicals including US ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee, US embassy staff, three generations of the family of Reverend Franklin Graham, the President of Samaritan's Purse, Senior Pastor of Harvest Christian Fellowship Greg Laurie, and some dozen stills and video photographers. Also present were returned hostages and members of hostage families including Karina Engel, who, with her two daughters, were abducted by Hamas and returned in November 2023 with the first of the released hostages. Her husband Ronen, an MDA volunteer, was murdered by Hamas and taken to Gaza, where his body is still in captivity. An ambulance in his memory was dedicated in January 2024. Engel told her story with tears streaming down her face and her voice choked with emotion. She has developed a special relationship with Graham and his wife, who both hugged her when she finished speaking. Huckabee said that when he came to Israel, he was asked what he wanted to do during his tenure. Pointing to the yellow ribbon pin on his jacket, he said that he wanted to take it off and never have to wear it again, because that would mean that all the hostages had come home. Huckabee is familiar with the Samaritan's Purse, where his wife Janet has been a volunteer for years. He had high praise for the Evangelical aid organization, which he said, shows up wherever there is a calamity in the world and continues to help people who are in harm's way. Referencing the saying in Jewish tradition, that he who saves a single life is as one who saves a whole world, Erdan said that through Samaritan's Purse and Harvest Christian Fellowship, many lives and many worlds had been saved. What they have done, he added, is a powerful proclamation that Israel is not alone. 'You answered hatred with hope,' he told the Evangelical leaders. There was no better place than Jerusalem for the dedication of the ambulance, he said, because Jerusalem is the city holy to Jews, Christians, and Muslims, and MDA staff and volunteers are made up of people of all faiths. Erdan also pledged that Israel will never waver in its determination to defeat terror, and will never rest until all the hostages have been brought home. He declared that 'Israel's fight is civilization's fight against terrorism and radical extremism.' Graham had been curious as to when the first ever hostages were taken prisoner and abducted, and found the answer in the Scriptures in Genesis 14, where Lot is taken hostage and Abraham goes to rescue him. Graham described Abraham as 'the first responder of his generation.' Listing some of the things that Samaritan's Purse has done, Graham gave credit to many of those present. When President Isaac Herzog had asked him to provide an ambulance for the north of the country, he had turned to Laurie and had impressed on him that the ambulance had to be delivered immediately. In addition, 14 severely damaged ambulances were replaced. Samaritan's Purse also concerned itself with people evacuated from their homes and placed in hotels. Instead of giving them food parcels, Samaritan's Purse gave them gift cards so that they could buy what they wanted and needed. The organization also thought of other ways to help. To determine the needs, Graham has been a frequent visitor to Israel. Laurie considered it a privilege and an honor to be able to help Israel. 'We want to say to the People of Israel and to the Jewish People generally, that we stand with you, and that we want to do something tangible.' Quoting the biblical blessing given by God to the Children of Israel, Laurie said: 'We are an extension of the blessing of the Lord.' He was also proud of the fact that (in 1948) the US had been the first country to recognize Israel's legitimacy. In the face of antisemitism, Laurie has spoken aggressively on university campuses across America. MDA Director General Eli Bin recalled that when watching President Donald Trump's inauguration on television, he had caught sight of Graham, and had sent a WhatsApp message to Erdan asking whether this was indeed their Reverend Graham. When Eldan confirmed that it was Graham, Bin's reaction was, 'Now we have two Israel ambassadors in the US.'
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Pasofino Gold Announces Its Attendance at the Mining Investment Event in Quebec City, Quebec from June 3-5, 2025
Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - May 30, 2025) - Pasofino Gold Limited (TSXV: VEIN) (OTCQB: EFRGF) (FSE: N07A) ("Pasofino" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it will be in attendance for the Mining Investment Event taking place in Quebec City, Quebec, from June 3rd to June 5th 2025, inclusive. Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Brett Richards, commented: "We are looking forward to the Mining Investment Event this coming week in Quebec City, and welcome Issuers and investors interested in hearing the new Pasofino Gold story, and its path to production." ABOUT THE DUGBE GOLD PROJECT The 2,078 km2 Dugbe Gold Project (the "Project") is in southern Liberia and situated within the southwestern corner of the Birimian Supergroup which is host to most West African gold deposits. To date, two deposits have been identified on the Project; Dugbe F and Tuzon discovered by Hummingbird in 2009 and 2011 respectively. The deposits are located within 4 km of the Dugbe Shear Zone which is thought to have played a role in large scale gold mineralization in the area. A significant amount of exploration in the area was conducted by Hummingbird up until 2012 including 74,497 m of diamond coring. Pasofino drilled an additional 14,584 m at Tuzon and Dugbe during 2021. These deposits have a combined Mineral Resource Estimates dated 17 November 2021 with total Measured and Indicated of 3.3 Moz with an average grade of 1.37 g/t Au, and 0.6 Moz in Inferred. Following the completion of the Definitive Feasibility Study in June 2022 a Mineral Reserve Estimate was declared, based on the open-pit mining of both deposits over a 14-year Life of Mine. A technical report for the Dugbe Gold Project was prepared in accordance with National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects ("NI 43-101") and filed on SEDAR+ at and on the Company's website. In addition to the existing deposits there are many gold prospects within the Project including the Bukon Jedeh area and the DSZ target on the Tuzon-Sackor trend where Pasofino has discovered a broad zone of surface gold mineralisation in trench and outcrop along strike from Tuzon. At this and several of the other prospects no drilling has been carried out to date. In 2019, Hummingbird signed a 25-year Mineral Development Agreement ("MDA") with the Government of Liberia providing the necessary long-term framework and stabilization of taxes and duties. Under the terms of the MDA, the royalty rate on gold production is 3%, the income tax rate payable is 25% (with credit given for historic exploration expenditures), the fuel duty is reduced by 50%, and the Government of Liberia is granted a free carried interest of 10% in the Project. QUALIFIED PERSONS STATEMENT Scientific or technical information in this disclosure that relates to exploration results was prepared and approved by Mr. Andrew Pedley. Mr. Pedley is a consultant of Pasofino Gold Ltd.'s wholly-owned subsidiary ARX Resources Limited. He is a member in good standing with the South African Council for Natural Scientific Professions (SACNASP) and is as a Qualified Person under NI 43-101. ABOUT PASOFINO GOLD LTD. Pasofino Gold Limited is a Canadian-based mineral exploration company listed on the TSX Venture Exchange (VEIN). Pasofino, through its wholly-owned subsidiary, owns 100% of the Dugbe Gold Project (prior to the issuance of the Government of Liberia's 10% carried interest). For further information, please visit or contact: Brett A. RichardsChief Executive Officer & DirectorT: +1 905 449 1500E: brett@ Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. CAUTIONARY STATEMENTS REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS This news release contains "forward-looking statements" that are based on expectations, estimates, projections and interpretations as at the date of this news release. Forward-looking statements are frequently characterised by words such as "plan", "expect", "project", "seek", "intend", "believe", "anticipate", "estimate", "suggest", "indicate" and other similar words or statements that certain events or conditions "may" or "will" occur, and include, without limitation, statements regarding the ability to raise the funds to finance its ongoing business activities including the acquisition of mineral projects and the exploration and development of its projects. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such risks and other factors may include, but are not limited to, risks related to investor engagement and interest, the results of business operation, the ability to advance the Dugbe Gold Project, the results of exploration activities; the results of the strategic review process, the ability of the Company to complete further exploration activities; timing and availability of external financing on acceptable terms and those risk factors outlined in the Company's Management Discussion and Analysis as filed on SEDAR+. The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking information except in accordance with applicable securities laws. NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO U.S. NEWS WIRE SERVICES OR FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES To view the source version of this press release, please visit
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
'You see the damage this can cause': Judge gives ex-firefighter prison for having rave drugs
A former Jacksonville firefighter is headed to prison for receiving about four pounds of party drugs like the pills first responders see when they're called to help people who've overdosed. 'You see the damage this can cause in your job,' U.S. District Judge Wendy Berger told Fernando Jackman before sentencing him May 28 to two years behind bars followed by two years of supervised release. Jackman, 35, pleaded guilty in February to possession with intent to distribute MDA, a rave drug that can cause psychedelic effects and feelings of connectedness with the world. MDA overdoses can raise a person's heart rate, blood pressure or body temperature, sometimes triggering convulsions or death. More: Florida's overall overdose deaths drop, but some lethal drugs are on the rise 'He had no business being in this business,' Assistant U.S. Attorney A. Tysen Duva told Berger, saying involvement with drugs was costing Jackman a career her cared about with a middle-class salary and a retirement plan. The maximum sentence Jackman could have faced was 20 years in prison. Florida law says his conviction will prevent Jackman from being certified as a firefighter again. U.S. Postal Service inspectors in October 2024 had flagged as suspicious a package addressed to Jackman with $98.70 postage paid untraceably in cash, his plea agreement said. After a Florida Highway Patrol drug-sniffing dog alerted to the package, inspectors got a search warrant and opened the item, which contained 1,802 grams of MDA express-mailed from El Paso, Texas, near the Mexican border. Jackman, who worked at Fire Station 29 on McCormick Road, was arrested after a postal tracking system emailed that his package was ready for pickup and Jackman collected it at the Pottsburg Post Office on Beach Boulevard. A firefighter for five years, Jackman had a past with habits he'd mostly sworn off, but he had continued occasionally ordering pills for wild weekends with friends, defense attorney Mitch Stone told the judge. Stone said the shipment Jackman received was a lot larger than he'd asked for, putting his client on the hook for a longer sentence for reasons that were out of Jackman's hands. But Duva said investigators learned two other packages had been shipped from Texas earlier and said drug dealers only send products when they think they'll make money. Duva said Jackman cooperated with prosecutors but 'didn't really know the source' of the drugs and couldn't help authorities expand their case. Jackman resigned from the fire department after his arrest and has been working in restaurants to support his family, Stone said. Berger told Jackman to report to prison by June 27. This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Party drugs end Jacksonville firefighter's career, send him to prison
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Pentagon ends new radar effort meant for Guam missile defense
Early this year, the Pentagon issued a memo halting development of a new radar meant to protect Guam from high-end air and missile threats, according to a May 22 Government Accountability Office report on the effort to protect the strategic island in the Pacific. 'On January 7, 2025, the Deputy Secretary of Defense [Kathleen Hicks] directed the [Missile Defense Agency] to cease development of one of the elements, the AN/TPY-6 radar, but to retain the currently fielded panel as an experimental asset with potential to develop for operational use within the [Guam Defense System] in the future,' the report states. While Hicks' decision came at the end of her tenure under the Biden administration, GAO notes the changes are not binding on the new administration. The Pentagon's plan to develop an elaborate air-and-missile defense architecture is beginning to take shape and will be pieced together over the coming years in order to protect Guam from increasingly complex threats emerging in China and North Korea. MDA had shipped its first AN/TPY-6 panel on a boat headed to the island last summer, planning to use it to track a threat launched from a C-17 plane in a first flight test of current capability coming together for the defense of Guam at the end of 2024. The new radar uses technology from MDA's Long-Range Discrimination Radar positioned in Alaska at Clear Space Force Base, which will have its own test next year ahead of declaring operational capability. The Guam Defense System will also rely on a variety of systems still in development, mostly within the Army. The Navy will provide technology and capability from its Aegis weapons system. The land service plans to bring to Guam currently fielded capabilities, like the Patriot system and its Integrated Battle Command System, or IBCS, that connects any sensor and shooter together on the battlefield, as well as Mid-Range Capability missile launchers, which were first fielded at the end of 2023. The Army will also incorporate Patriot's radar replacement, the Lower Tier Air and Missile Defense Sensor, or LTAMDS, which was just approved for production, and its Indirect Fire Protection Capability launchers, which are reaching the end of the prototyping phase. With the termination of AN/TPY-6, for now, Hicks directed the MDA prioritize remaining Aegis Guam systems development funds 'toward delivering minimum viable Aegis C2 [command and control] and datalink capabilities to enable Standard Missile 6 (SM-6) engagements off remote track from AN/TPY-2 and LTAMDS over the JTMC [Joint Track Management Capability] bridge,' according to GAO's report. The Pentagon's memo required upgrading the JTMC bridge to address all missile threats from China and achieve a Joint Tactical Integrated Fire Control capability — the future joint track architecture for Guam — 'for coordinated battle management, combat identification and electronic protection,' the report states. Those upgrades should be completed no later than 2029. The memo also directed MDA to accelerate key command-and-control integration work, including getting the Army-operated Terminal High Altitude Area Defense, or THAAD, system to work within IBCS. Guam is home to a permanent THAAD battery called Task Force Talon, which serves as the critical component for defending the island against ballistic missile threats. Additionally, the Army and MDA 'shall integrate AN/TPY-2 measurement data into IBCS no later than 2030 and achieve full integration by 2033,' the report details. The MDA has long used AN/TPY-2 radars to track ballistic missiles, but Raytheon just delivered a new version to MDA with Gallium Nitride, or GaN, which gives it the ability to track more complex threats at greater ranges like hypersonic weapons. The first new radar with GaN will go to the Army's eight THAAD battery. The radars can be used in a forward-based mode, providing cuing data to systems like the Navy's Aegis ballistic missile defense system or the Army's Patriot. It serves as the primary radar for THAAD. The Army's new LTAMDS radar, also developed by Raytheon, has GaN technology as well.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Does 'decriminalising' cannabis mean people can legally buy it?
A new report backed by London mayor Sadiq Khan has recommended that the possession of small quantities of cannabis for personal use is decriminalised. The report, published by the independent London Drugs Commission (LDC), includes 42 recommendations, including removing natural cannabis from the Misuse of Drugs Act (MDA). The mayor said there was 'a compelling, evidence-based case' for decriminalisation and urged government to consider the report's findings, which argue that the current laws are "disproportionate to the harms" cannabis can pose compared to other drugs. The commission, set up in 2022, does not call for full decriminalisation and instead says "natural" cannabis should be downgraded to classification under the Psychoactive Substances Act. The report also recommends improved addiction services and better education on the dangers of on problematic use and addiction of cannabis is needed. Khan aded: 'The current sentencing for those caught in possession of natural cannabis cannot be justified given its relative harm and people's experience of the justice system.' The UK has several classifications for substances: Class A (which is deemed to be the most dangerous) Class B, Class C, and psychoactive substances. Class A drugs include heroin and cocaine, an example of Class B drugs are amphetamines and ketamine, and the Class C classification includes steroids and nitrous oxide (laughing gas). The UK government describes psychoactive substances as drugs that cause hallucinations, drowsiness or changes in perception of time and space, such as bath salts (synthetic cathinones) or dimethocaine. Cannabis is currently a Class B drug and people found in possession can face a fine or imprisonment. The report argues that: 'The possibility of a custodial prison sentence of any length…for possession of cannabis for personal use feels excessive'. This would effectively remove criminal prosecution the possession of small amounts of cannabis for personal use, while continuing to prohibit the importing, manufacturing and distribution of the drug. A key distinction in drug legislation is the difference between legalisation and decriminalisation, which are two very different terms and should not be confused. When drug use and possession are decriminalised, criminal charges are not applied to anyone carrying the drug, usually for personal use. While this may sound like the drug is now 'legal', in practice this is not the case and it would remain illegal to possess and use the drug. However, it would no longer lead to a criminal record, but may still carry a civil penalty - e.g. civil fines, warnings or treatment or education referrals. Many critics of the current system say that the criminal justice approach perpetuates stigma and marginalises people with problem drug use. The report "makes a compelling, evidenced-based case for the decriminalisation of possession of small quantities of natural cannabis," Khan said. Under decriminalisation, it's important to note that selling, manufacturing and giving away cannabis would still carry criminal penalties. Even if cannabis does become decriminalised it would still be illegal to possess and therefore illegal to buy the drug. The key difference, if cannabis was reclassified under psychoactive substances legislation, would be that those in possession for personal use would not face a prison sentence or any fines. Despite arguments from the report that there could be possible gains from legalisation, including tax revenues and reductions in criminalisation, the drug would still remain essentially illegal to possess. Offenders caught selling, dealing or sharing psychoactive substances, for any reason, are likely to still face severe penalties including fines and prison sentences. Under current UK law, drugs that fall under the Psychoactive Substances Act and anabolic steroids are effectively decriminalised as possession will not carry any punishment or fine. Currently, at the lowest end, police can issue a warning or an on-the-spot fine of up to £90 if you're found with cannabis, it may also be possible to pay a penalty without getting a formal warning or caution. If someone is repeatedly found with cannabis, the penalty may vary from treatment for addiction to a maximum penalty for possession, which could mean up to five years in prison, an unlimited fine or both. The maximum penalty for cannabis, supply (selling, dealing or sharing) and cultivation is up to 14 years in prison, an unlimited fine or both. Citizens can often be confused by UK laws on cannabis possession, with many cannabis-based products available to buy online and the NHS proscribing medical cannabis in rare cases. In practice the punishment you will receive for carrying cannabis for personal use can be a lottery, with no set sentencing rules for how much you are allowed to possess, before you are issued with a custodial sentence. The Sentencing Council of England and Wales say that a warning for carrying cannabis can be issued for carrying a 'small amount… consistent with personal use' although there is no maximum legally stated. The LDC report said that several of the participants in their research thought being found in possession of up to one ounce (around 25 grams) of cannabis would be 'unlikely to attract sanction beyond a fine and/or a formal warning'. There are several charges relating to the supply of drugs including conspiracy to supply a controlled drug, supplying or offering to supply a controlled drug and production of a controlled drug / cultivation of cannabis plant, which carry different tariffs. The council say a custodial sentence for cannabis cultivation should start at seven plants or more, with more severe penalties for cultivation of more than 20 plants and producing industrial amounts.
