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Texas Governor Greg Abbott has said his administration will deploy an “inflatable border” composed of floating barriers along the Rio Grande as part of its bid to deter migrants from attempting illegal crossings into the state. The new policy was quickly slammed by some mocking the idea and others who said that Texas taxes could be better spent on other initiatives. The barriers, seen in concept art presented at the state Capitol in Austin on Thursday as the governor signed six new border security bills into law, are effectively a string of interconnected buoys that spin when someone attempts to scale them, making them difficult to pass. Below the waterline, a web of netting weighed down by anchors will prevent anyone from simply swimming underneath The barriers will be placed along known hotspots for attempted crossings, with the first 1,000 feet to be situated near Eagle Pass, where Texas National Guardsman Bishop E Evans, 22, tragically drowned last year while attempting to rescue migrants from the river. The governor’s office said in a statement that the strategy was intended to “proactively prevent illegal crossings between ports of entry by making it more difficult to cross the Rio Grande and reach the Texas side of the southern border”. Continuing to blame President Joe Biden for the perceived failure to secure the US-Mexico border, Governor Abbott said his latest package of bills is aimed at ensuring his state can “hold the line” against illegal immigrants, drugs and weapons entering the United States from the south. They grant the Texas military the authority to use unmanned aircraft in search and recovery missions, authorise trained US Border Patrol agents to carry out arrest, search and seizure operations at checkpoints and compensate rural landowners whose property is damaged by illegal immigration-related activities. They also designate Mexican drug cartels and criminal gangs as foreign terrorist organisations and increase the penalties for those caught destroying illegal drugs and those who operate stash houses. Speaking at Thursday’s signing, Governor Abbott said: “Thanks to the leadership and hard work of [Texas Department of Public Safety] Director [Steve] McCraw, General Thomas Suelzer and their teams, Texas has pushed back against the swell of migrants and held the line to keep people out of Texas – but there’s more that needs to be done. “The Texas Legislature has stepped up to make sure we continue to robustly respond to President Biden’s growing border crisis, including allocating $5.1bn for border security. “Today, I am signing six bills from this year’s regular session to ensure that Texas can continue to do even more to stop illegal immigration at our southern border and provide new tools to the brave men and women along the southern border to protect Texans and Americans from the chaos and crisis of the border.” Regarding the barriers specifically, the governor said: “What we’re doing right now, we’re securing the border at the border. “What these buoys will allow us to do is to prevent people from even getting to the border.” Director McCraw added: “We don’t want people to come across and continue to put their lives at risk when they come between the points of entry.” He explained that the barriers are currently being tested by specialists and will be moveable so that they can be quickly relocated to new areas as needed. Of their role as a deterrent, he said: “You could sit there for a couple of days and hold onto it, but eventually you’re going to get tired and want to go back. You’ll get hungry.” Rodolfo Rosales, director of the Texas chapter of the League of United Latin Americans Citizens has condemned Mr Abbott’s latest approach to the situation as inhumane. “We view it as a chilling reminder of the extreme measures used throughout history by elected leaders against those they do not regard as human beings, seeking only to exterminate them, regardless of the means employed,” he told CBS. “It is with profound horror and shame that we bear witness to the consideration of these measures, which are evidently intended as political theatre but will undoubtedly result in the loss of innocent lives among the refugees seeking asylum in the United States.” Social media users were quick to respond to Mr Abbott on Twitter. “Texas will deploy new marine floating barriers to deter illegal border crossings between ports of entry. We continue to hold the line in Biden’s absence,” the governor tweeted on Friday. “You know they can swim under it right?” one Twitter user said. The director of the Central America and Mexico Policy Initiative at the Strauss Center at The University of Texas at Austin, Stephanie Leutert, wrote: “Some places of the Rio Grande will be shallow enough that this won’t be effective. And smugglers moving people across in rafts will quickly figure out how to cut these apart or hoist people over them from raft to raft. But... they will 100 percent cause more drowning deaths.” “I bet they didn’t think about sharp objects that can penetrate said buoys or holding ones breath. Also this seems like a waste of money, time & labor,” one account holder added. Several Twitter users compared the barrier to objects used in the NBC show American Ninja Warrior and Wipeout on TBS. “Welcome to Wipeout: Illegal Immigration special!” one Twitter user said. Gustaf Kilander contributed to this report Read More Texas businessman tied to impeachment of attorney general Ken Paxton to appear in federal court Texas camp teens airlifted to hospital after elevated walkway collapses in Surfside Beach photo Mexico charges migrant in detention center fire that killed 40 Analysis: What makes a fair election? Recent redistricting the most politically balanced in years New voting districts could change again in some states before the 2024 elections Homeland Security names Border Patrol veteran Jason Owens to lead the agency

Ukraine claims to have made advances in the face of “extremely fierce” fighting during its counteroffensive against Vladimir Putin’s forces, and has suggested Russia is losing a “staggering” 900 troops a day. As the lower house of Russia’s parliament gave its initial backing to plans to enable Moscow to enlist suspected or convicted criminals to bolster its army in Ukraine, Kyiv’s deputy defence minister claimed advances of several hundred metres near Bakhmut and Zaporizhzhia. The claimed advances – which contrast with Russian claims to have repelled attacks – preface a critical Nato meeting this week where Kyiv will urge the West to greenlight delivery of fighter jets, with senior Kyiv official Yuriy Sak telling The Independent that if “had we had F-16s, by now the situation would have been different”. Meanwhile, Mr Putin said that if necessary Moscow would use weapons with depleted uranium in response to reports that the United States would supply such weapons to Ukraine, as his ally Alexander Lukashenko claimed Belarus had begun to receive Russian tactical nuclear weapons three times more powerful than those dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Read More Russia losing 900 soldiers a day during counteroffensive, Ukrainian officials claim Putin mixes threats of new offensive in Ukraine with offers of peace talks UN nuclear chief says large Ukraine atomic power plant held by Russia faces 'dangerous situation'

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Spring has always been a transformative season for me. As the the weather improves, so, too, does my mood. But there has always been one thing that makes the move from winter much, much worse: my hay fever. Like one in 10 children and one in four adults, according to the Met Office, I have always suffered with hay fever. With that number rising year on year too, it’s likely that if you don’t get symptoms yourself, you’ll know someone who does. For me, the worst symptom has always been unbearably itchy, watery eyes, although the constant sneezing isn’t that much fun either. Other symptoms include itchy mouth, ears and throat, coughing, a blocked nose and many more. For a few years I took prescription strength Loratadine (Clarityn), which worked for a while, up to a point. The symptoms reduced but I was always able to tell when it was a day with high pollen in the air because my eyes would still itch and the sneezes would come and go. If it was the best the doctor could do, then I’d just have to put up with the remaining symptoms, which were reduced. Eventually, Loratadine stopped being as effective. I mentioned it in passing to my GP when I was there for an appointment about something else. “We’ll try something different,” she said. Enter Fenofaxidine. It seems too much to say that Fenofaxide changed my life but, in hay fever terms, it was a total gamechanger. The medication stopped my symptoms instantly. No more sneezing, no more itchy eyes, no more hay fever. Obviously, I’m not a medical professional but it didn’t stop me telling everyone I know with hay fever to speak to their doctor about it. My mum, also a lifelong sufferer, saw the same effects as I did. So when I saw an advert last year for Allevia (a brand name for over-the-counter Fenofaxidine), I knew the potential its declassification could have on hayfever sufferers in the UK. I wasn’t surprised when it sold out after going viral on TikTok last year. One review said: “This actually works. I’m impressed. My eyes are not bulging because they are itching. I feel good, I can enjoy the sun,” she said. Hay fever isn’t life or death, nor should it be treated as such, but for someone whose mood is so dramatically increased by spending time outside it has made quite a big difference to me – the simple pleasure of being able to enjoy the sun. Read More The popular £4 hay fever tablet that ‘cures all symptoms’ Festival checklist 2023: Camping gear, clothing, beauty and more essentials Why do we get hay fever and what are the symptoms?

David Brooks is determined to shine at a major tournament for Wales after suffering finals disappointment in the past. Wales put automatic qualification for Euro 2024 in their own hands by beating Croatia 2-1 on Sunday as Brooks made his first international start since June 2021. Brooks was diagnosed with stage-two Hodgkin lymphoma in October 2021, and it has been a long road back to form and fitness as the 26-year-old’s body took time to recover from the full effects of the disease. The Bournemouth forward missed Wales’ first World Cup for 64 years after playing a limited role at the Covid-delayed European Championships in 2021, managing only 31 minutes in three substitute appearances. “The last couple of times we’ve been, I didn’t play as big a part as I would have liked,” said Brooks, who travelled to Qatar last year to support Wales at the World Cup when building up his fitness. “I had to accept it because Gareth Bale was in front of me and he’s a living legend. “So I’d love to go and be part of the team. It’s massive for me, that’s what I want to achieve in my career, I’ll be ready to go.” I had to accept it (not playing) because Gareth Bale was in front of me and he’s a living legend David Brooks Brooks scored in the 2-0 win in Latvia last month after coming on as a second-half substitute and showed signs he was back to his best against Croatia, despite not being a Premier League regular at Bournemouth. He produced some delightful touches in the opening 45 minutes against the World Cup semi-finalists, and then set up the first of Harry Wilson’s two goals before making way just before the hour mark. “The occasion got a little bit the better of me, getting cramp earlier than I thought I would,” Brooks said. “I said when I scored against Latvia it was a very proud moment and this was exactly the same. “I don’t think anyone gave us a chance against Croatia but we’re not scared of playing anyone. “We had a small dip in form in the summer camp to take it out of our hands, and if we have a good camp next time we’re through. “You can see by the performances we are playing for the gaffer (Rob Page) and we love having him.” Wales will secure automatic qualification for next summer’s Euro finals in Germany by beating Armenia and Turkey in November. If they fail to do so, they are guaranteed a play-off spot in March. Page pointed out after the victory that took Wales into second spot behind group leaders Turkey seven of his starting XI are currently not playing first-team football at their respective clubs. Goalkeeper Danny Ward is among that number as he has yet to play for Leicester this season. Asked how it was possible to beat Croatia with the squad having played so little first-team football, Ward said: “Very famously Gareth (Bale) said ‘it’s the Dragon on the chest’ and he’s not wrong. “The last camp for us was big. Two clean sheets, two positive performances. The foundations were set there as a group and this was a typical Wales performance. “It was backs to the wall at times and moments of real quality. Our togetherness got us through in the end.” Read More Northern Ireland U21s lose late on against Serbia I quite like the noise – Ellis Genge ‘fuelled’ by England’s critics Ireland brush aside Gibraltar to spare Stephen Kenny further torment England Under-21s fall to late defeat against Ukraine A closer look at the five sports given the go-ahead for the 2028 Olympic Games Kyle Walker eyes ‘little bit of payback’ as England host Italy

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WASHINGTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jul 17, 2023--

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Wrexham’s historic Racecourse Ground will become known as the SToK Racecourse under the terms of a new sponsorship deal brokered by Hollywood owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney. This is the first time the world’s oldest international football stadium – Wales played their maiden home game there against Scotland on March 5, 1877 – will have a sponsor, with the deal becoming effective on July 1. Wrexham’s Welsh-speaking fans will now know the ground as SToK Cae Ras. SToK Cold Brew Coffee, according to the official Wrexham website, is one of the largest and fastest-growing cold brew coffee brands in the United States but does not sell in the UK. Wrexham co-owners McElhenney and Reynolds announced the stadium’s name change in a light-hearted video where they decide to secretly replace the team’s traditional afternoon tea with SToK Cold Brew Coffee to see if they would notice. A joint statement from McElhenney and Reynolds read: “We wanted a stadium sponsor that captured the vitality and energy of Wrexham while also, like Welsh, being a bit of a learning experience to say. SToK Cold Brew Coffee fit the bill perfectly. “We’re incredibly excited and a little overcaffeinated.” Wrexham say attaching a stadium sponsor name to the Cae Ras/Racecourse was backed by the club’s advisory board, which is made up of supporter representatives. Brittney Polka, vice president of Ready-to-Drink Beverages at Danone North America, said: “Some may wonder why a US-based cold brew brand would sponsor a tea-drinking Welsh football team. “The answer: SToK is all about bold moves. “We were captivated by the story of Wrexham — the team, the fans, and the community — and we’re honoured to be welcomed into the Wrexham family. “We’ll be cheering on the Red Dragons and raising our cold brews from afar.” Wrexham executive director Humphrey Ker said: “We are delighted to welcome SToK to the Wrexham family. “Having secured the support of the club advisory board and understanding that the majority of fans were happy for the stadium to be sponsored, we were delighted to partner with one of the fastest growing cold brew coffee brands in the US, as their ambitions and upward trajectory matches our own.” Last month Wrexham returned to the English Football League after a 15-year absence, having won the Vanarama National League title with a record total of 111 points. SToK will now sponsor Wrexham’s summer American tour, which will include friendlies against Chelsea and Manchester United. Read More I don’t blame English fans for cynicism over US investment – Burnley’s JJ Watt Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney insist they will not get bored at Wrexham Ben Foster set for talks on Wrexham future as retirement decision looms Notts County back in EFL with sub goalkeeper Archie Mair the shoot-out hero Notts County boss Luke Williams looking to end emotional season with Wembley win England can win World Cup despite injury problems – Jill Scott