The White House is seizing on new statistics showing that violent crime plummeted last year to boast of a “Trump effect.” But experts note crime began falling well before Trump returned to office.

Democratic Senate nominees in Nebraska, Idaho and South Dakota dropped out, clearing the way for independents. But Alani Bankhead in Montana declined to join them.

It allowed the Battlegroup East to expand its zone of control northwest of Novoye Pole, the Defense Ministry reported

The Caribbean has strengthened its influence in legislative drafting across the Commonwealth with the presidency now occupied by Jamaican attorney-at-law and legislative drafter Michelle Daley, who was elected president of the Commonwealth Association of Legislative Council (CALC) at the body’s conference in Singapore last month.

Jamaicans for Justice (JFJ) wants the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) to indicate why its members were present as part of what appears to have been a private demolition exercise. The lobby made the demand yesterday, citing human rights concerns in the wake of the destruction of houses in Coopers Pen, Trelawny, and the detention of several men from the community by the police before the incident.

Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) President Justice Winston Anderson has rejected allegations that judges at the region’s highest court have been subjected to improper influence or that judicial panels have been manipulated to secure particular outcomes. In a lengthy statement issued against the backdrop of reports of tensions among judges, Anderson said allegations of “panel fixing” and attempts to influence judgments were “wholly untrue”, while acknowledging that some of his own decisions could have been handled differently.

WESTERN BUREAU: Prime Minister Dr Andrew Holness has described Monday’s mass demolition at Cooper’s Pen in Trelawny as a “humanitarian crisis”, declaring that neither he, his ministers nor the constituency’s member of parliament (MP) had prior knowledge of the operation. Addressing the controversial demolition exercise yesterday, Holness said images of displaced families, including a mother with a newborn baby, were disturbing and that the Government would have to find ways to support those affected.

India’s Modi, who faced widespread student protests last month, unveiled an initiative to run online coaching networks to competitive exams Read Full Article at RT.com

A Ukrainian Red Cross driver was detained and drafted while evacuating families near the front, prompting an investigation Read Full Article at RT.com

Special attention is always focused on the Russian president's speech at the plenary session, Advisor to the Russian President and Executive Secretary of the forum's Organizing Committee Anton Kobyakov said

The ministry noted that the creation of this center, combined with the continuous combat training of crews, has improved the effectiveness of the operational deployment of unmanned systems

The ministry added that the defense chief also presented state awards to servicemen of the group who distinguished themselves during combat missions in the special military operation zone

Russian Defense Minister Andrey Belousov has inspected the progress of combat missions by units of the Battlegroup East

The Ministry of Justice has declined to comment on calls for tougher punishment for people convicted of rape, including proposals for chemical castration, as debate continues over how Vanuatu should respond to serious sexual offences.

The Opposition has raised concerns over the Vanuatu National Hospital’s (VNH) oxygen supply and recurring power problems, saying the issues could put pressure on critical services, while the Ministry of Health (MOH) says the situation is being actively managed and…

The Opposition is calling for the immediate suspension of the Utilities Regulatory Authority (URA) Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and an independent investigation into a safety order issued to a local renewable energy company, citing allegations of procedural unfairness and inconsistent…

The United States (U.S.) Embassy in Port Moresby, which handles U.S. interests in Vanuatu, has defended the decision to permanently include Vanuatu in the U.S. Visa Bond Programme, saying the measure is aimed at enforcing immigration laws and reducing visa…

The Vanuatu Maritime Safety Authority (VMSA) is taking further measures to strengthen the safety of small boats operating in Vanuatu, particularly banana boats travelling between islands, by making satellite tracking or emergency communication devices mandatory amid challenges faced by authorities…

Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu described the UK as the “Islamic Republic of Britain” following months of strained relations Read Full Article at RT.com

Solving Europe’s migration crisis requires confronting the colonial mindset driving global displacement—a step Brussels refuses to take Read Full Article at RT.com

Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh called Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 'dimaagi Naxals' remark a sign of desperation. Prime Minister Modi stated that armed Naxalism has been eliminated but ideological influence remains a concern. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge criticized the government's performance and divisive politics during Independence Day. He credited previous Congress governments with fundamental rights initiatives for the people. The BJP attacked Rahul Gandhi's absence from the Red Fort celebrations.

SILVER SPRING, Maryland: Downtown Silver Spring was transformed into a vibrant Jamaican marketplace on Sunday as the sights, sounds, aromas and spirit of Jamaica filled Veterans Plaza for the fifth staging of Jamaica Fest, attracting an estimated 8,000 patrons from across the Washington metropolitan area and beyond.

WESTERN BUREAU: Beekeepers and other stakeholders in Jamaica’s apiculture industry are poised to receive educational sessions on how to identify genuine honey and distinguish it from fake or synthesised honey, as well as how to help bee farmers get their honey-based products regularised for the local and international markets.

Western Bureau: A long-awaited road rehabilitation project in Lucea, Hanover, has been temporarily delayed after seawater affected repair works along the town’s main thoroughfare. The National Works Agency (NWA) had announced that work on Seaview Drive would begin on August 10 as part of a $54-million programme aimed at improving several road corridors across the parish. The works were scheduled to start at 9 p.m., when traffic volumes are typically lower.

Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) President Justice Winston Anderson has rejected allegations that judges at the region’s highest court have been subjected to improper influence or that judicial panels have been manipulated to secure particular outcomes. In a lengthy statement issued against the backdrop of reports of tensions among judges, Anderson said allegations of “panel fixing” and attempts to influence judgments were “wholly untrue”, while acknowledging that some of his own decisions could have been handled differently.

WESTERN BUREAU: Prime Minister Dr Andrew Holness has described Monday’s mass demolition at Cooper’s Pen in Trelawny as a “humanitarian crisis”, declaring that neither he, his ministers nor the constituency’s member of parliament (MP) had prior knowledge of the operation. Addressing the controversial demolition exercise yesterday, Holness said images of displaced families, including a mother with a newborn baby, were disturbing and that the Government would have to find ways to support those affected.