A recent damning report published by Parents Defending Education (PDE) has revealed Chinese financial influence over US public schools. The report mentioned that China channelled nearly $18 million in funding to US schools, particularly those located in the vicinity of 20 US military bases.

The Chinese influence programme specifically focuses on children aged between five and six, the report added.

“Three of the nation’s top science and technology high schools have ties to Chinese government-affiliated programs,” PDE warned in its research.

These included the Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology,  Simpson County Public Schools in Kentucky and the North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics, Express reported.

Republican leaders sound the warning bell

A number of Republican Representatives and Senators are now demanding the Biden administration “wake up” on the issue and realise how ‘China was trying to influence the upcoming American generation.’

Jim Banks, the Republican Representative for Indiana, wrote a letter to Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona, demanding these “disturbing” partnerships be terminated.

“The Chinese Communist Party is not a trustworthy partner. Accepting funding and influence from our greatest adversary is a threat to America’s children and national security,” he wrote in the letter.

Role of Chinese Confucius institutions

The report added that the funding came via Chinese Confucius institutions, through which the communist nation allegedly “promotes Chinese language and culture, supports local Chinese teaching internationally, and facilitates cultural exchanges”.

However, concerns have been raised in Western nations over the alleged role of these Confucius institutions in promoting China’s covert espionage operations on foreign soil.

Watch:US raises alarm over China’s new counter-espionage law as latter tried to popularise anti-spy work

The 2021 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) prohibits the Pentagon from providing money to “institution[s] of higher education that hosts a Confucius Institute” after October 1, 2023. As a result, more than 100 universities in the US shut down their Confucius Institutes.

Concerns over military schools owned by China

Earlier in February this year, concerns were raised over some military schools in the US owned by Chinese companies. 

US Representative Michael Waltz, a Florida Republican who is a member of the House Armed Services Committee, had then called on the Pentagon to review foreign-owned private schools that produce the country’s future military leaders.

A federal jury sentenced Robert Bowers for killing 11 people at the Pittburgh’s Tree of Life synagogue in 2018. It was the first federal death penalty under US President Joe Biden’s tenure.

On 27 October 2018, Robert Bowers, a truck driver, walked into the Tree of Life synagogue in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and shot 11 worshippers. However, he surrendered to the police after he was shot and wounded. 

The court charged Robert Bowers, then 46, with 63 federal counts, including 11 each of obstruction of free exercise of religion and hate crime resulting in death. 

The federal court convicted him on all counts on 16 June 2023, nearly five years after the shooting. The date of Robert Bowers’ federal execution is 2 August 2023. The bar will reconvene on 4 August 2023 to formally hand down the federal execution.

Robert Bowers’ Posted Antisemitic Comments Online

According to the investigators, months before the shooting, Bowers was sharing bigoted and antisemitic comments online. He posted racist memes, called immigrants ‘invaders’ and accused the Jewish community of being enemies of the white people. He posted a message to a web forum on the day of the shooting. It said, “I can’t stand by and watch my people get slaughtered. Screw your optics. I’m going in.” 

Police found 21 weapons registered to Robert Bowers’ name. They also reviewed Bowers’ online presence on Gab, a free speech-oriented, right-wing social media platform. He posted several hate comments on Gab, and his bio said, “Jews are the children of Satan.” His posts included anti-Jewish slurs and conspiracy theories, reported New York Times. 

“I just want to kill Jews,” said Bowers

After being shot and wounded at the synagogue, Robert Bowers said, “These people are committing genocide on my people. I just want to kill Jews.” His defence argued that the quotation should’ve been barred from consideration at his trial, saying he made the statement before reading his Miranda warning. However, a judge denied the motion.

According to court records, the defence filed a notice of mental infirmity, claiming Bowers had schizophrenia and epilepsy. His attorneys also offered a paid deal in exchange for the death penalty removal, but prosecutors did not accept the offer. However, the prosecution’s expert witness, Dr Park Dietz, said Bowers suffered no delusions that would’ve called into question his intent to kill the worshippers at the synagogue.

(With inputs from agencies)

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Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and wife Sophie Grégoire Trudeau are separating after 18 years of marriage. The unexpected announcement came on Wednesday, a high-profile split for Canada’s most recognisable political power couple. 

The couple made the announcement through their Instagram post, published in both English and French. 

“After many meaningful and difficult conversations, we have made the decision to separate,” they said.

Trudeau, 51 and Sophie, 48 got married in May 2005 and have three children together- Xavier, 15, Ella-Grace, 14 and Hadrien, nine. 

“As always, we remain a close family with deep love and respect for each other and for everything we have built and will continue to build,” they said. “For the well-being of our children, we ask that you respect our and their privacy.”

Sophie Grégoire Trudeau: TV presenter to First Lady of Canada 

Sophie and Trudeau’s story is often described as a storybook marriage that united two rising Canadian celebrities, the ambitious son of an iconic former prime minister and a glamorous television host in Quebec.

Based on their autobiography, ‘Common Ground’, the couple began dating in 2003. They got engaged in 2004 and married in 2005 in a mesmerising ceremony in Montreal’s Sainte-Madeleine d’Outremont church. 

Sophie was as ambitious towards her career as Trudeau. She first started working as a receptionist and assistant at an advertising firm. With passion and commitment, Sophie gradually climbed up the ladder of professionalism and worked in varied fields of advertising, public relations, and sales. After working in sales for three years, she decided to attend radio and television school. 

After completing her studies there, Sophie entered the world of media with her first job in a newsroom, where she used to write the news ticker. A lover of culture, arts, and films, when she became aware of an opening at the Quebec television station LCN for an entertainment reporter, she applied and was successful in obtaining the position.

Even after marrying Trudeau in 2005, Sophie held a prominent place in Canadian society and actively advocate for women’s rights and mental health awareness. She also serves as a patron for various charitable organisations. 

Trudeau himself has openly acknowledged his wife’s crucial role in shaping his progressive beliefs. It includes advocating for gender equality through actions like appointing a gender-balanced cabinet and prioritising women’s empowerment in Canada’s foreign policy. 

(With inputs from agencies)

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A dead body was discovered floating in the controversial floating barriers which were installed by the authorities in Texas to block migrants from crossing into the United States, said the Mexican government on Wednesday (August 2). 

Mexico was informed by the government authorities in the United States that “they found the body of a lifeless person stuck in the southern part of the buoys” on the Rio Grande river, said the Mexican foreign ministry in a statement.

The ministry added that the nationality of the victim and the cause of death is not known. 

The Mexican ministry stated, “We are concerned about the impact on migrants’ human rights and personal security that these state policies could have, as they go in the opposite direction to close collaboration.”

The buoys were installed in the river by the authorities at a crossing point which is popular among migrants in July over the instructions of Texas Governor Greg Abbott. The buoys were installed along with large razor-wire barriers on shore. 

The Texas government, while installing the barrier in July, had stated that the buoys would “help deter illegal immigrants attempting to make the dangerous river crossing into Texas”.

US envoy calls anti-migrant river buoys ‘illegal’ 

US ambassador to the Latin American country on Thursday (August 3) called the floating barrier, which was installed by the authorities of Texas to stop migrants crossing the border from Mexico,  ‘illegal’. 

“It seems to me that what Texas is doing is illegal. But they are also doing it to make migration a political issue, and not a humanitarian and economic issue,” said Ken Salazar, while speaking to the reporters.

The US Justice Department, in response, filed a lawsuit in a federal court, stating that the buoys were illegally installed to obstruct river navigation and lacked federal authorisation.

Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador stated that the sovereignty of the country has been violated by the barriers. 

WATCH | US-Mexico border: Migrants risk death crossing treacherous Rio Grande River | World News | WION

As per Foreign Minister Alicia Barcena, three-quarters of the roughly 300-meter (1,000-foot) barrier has been located in Mexican territory.

She stated that two diplomatic notes were sent by the office to Washington specifying the border treaties which were being breached.

More than 60 organisations sent a joint letter to Texan state legislators on Tuesday (August 1), appealing to them to put an end to “violent border strategies” and remove the buoys from the Rio Grande, said the Border Network for Human Rights organisation in a statement.

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The Indian pair of Shreyas Iyer and KL Rahul are likely to miss the upcoming Asia Cup in Sri Lanka as the tournament comes too early for them. According to reports surfacing on Thursday, August 3, the duo is unlikely to be fully fit for the continental showpiece and won’t be considered as the deadline to announce the squad nears. However, both Rahul and Shreyas will look to make the ODI World Cup squad as the deadline to announce the squad for that event nears.

Rahul, Shreyas to miss Asia Cup

The Asia Cup 2023 will come too early for both batters as per a report by Cricbuzz. They have been struggling with injury for a long time and recently posted rehabilitation videos on social media. Iyer missed the entire Indian Premier League (IPL) while Rahul missed the last leg of the premier competition. Iyer was set to lead Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in the IPL but injury saw him ruled out. Nitish Rana would then lead the KKR side in Shreyas’ absence from the squad. Iyer last played for India in the Test series against Australia in March at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.

Rahul was supposed to be in contention as well for the Asia Cup, but according to the latest National Cricket Academy (NCA) report the continental showpiece comes early for him. Rahul’s participation will be a major blow for India with him being an integral part of the team for the World Cup. Although not ruled out of the World Cup, him missing the Asia Cup could have big consequences on India’s batting line-up for the World Cup. He last played for India in March during the ODI series against Australia.

Consequence during the World Cup

If Rahul is ruled out of the World Cup, India will be left with no option to field Ishan Kishan in the Playing XI. Currently, Rishabh Pant is not in contention for a return to the national side while KS Bharat, the only other wicketkeeper option, is not in favour for the ODI side. Rahul, who is India’s wicket-keeping option for World Cup will need a timely recovery.

In the case of Rahul’s absence, Ishan remains the only viable option to feature with the gloves and has been a constant feature in the team.

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Dua Lipa’s hit song “Levitating” has got her in more trouble as she’s hit with yet another lawsuit after the last one got cleared recently. A multimillion-dollar copyright claim was filed in Los Angeles by musician Bosko Kante who claims Dua Lipa and Warner Music Group unlawfully used a recording made with his talk box in remixes of the single. This is the third time that “Levitating” has been hit by a lawsuit. 

The suit cites a spoken agreement between Bosko Kante and the creators of the song that his talk box recording could only be used in the original recording, but not subsequent remixes. Now, he is seeking more than $20 million for alleged copyright infringement on several remixes including one with The Blessed Madonna, the smash remix featuring rapper DaBaby and a performance by Dua Lipa at the American Music Awards.

Billboard reportedly said that Kante has tried raising the issue with Dua Lipa and Warner Music Group but there’s been no response from them. Reportedly, he has “made numerous attempts to resolve this matter short of litigation, but such efforts were unsuccessful, due to Defendants’ unwillingness to cooperate or accept responsibility for this blatant infringement of Plaintiff’s copyrights”.

“All three remixes sampled and incorporated a greater amount of plaintiff’s work than that used in the original version,” the suit claims. “Defendants did not seek or receive any authorization or permission to use the composition or sound recording of plaintiff’s work from plaintiff.”

For the unversed, a talk box is something which allows musicians to modify the sound of an instrument and apply speech sounds. He has contributed talk box performances to Kanye West and Big Boi.

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