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Kimberley Seward, a forensic digital examiner with the London Police Service, testified that she got involved in the bush party shooting trial by examining the contents of cellphones and laptops of many of those involved in the case. That included the accused, Carlos Guerra Guerra, 23, as well as Emily Altmann, who has been described in court as his former girlfriend at the time of the shooting. Seward told the jury that even though Altmann has erased the text messages from her phone, they were able to be located on her MacBook. Shortly after 18-year-old Josue Silva was shot on July 30, 2021 while at the bush party off of Pack Road in southwest London, there is an early morning text from Guerra Guerra to Altmann, saying, "Make sure everyone understands to forget the night." Altmann is told to erase the texts with Guerra Guerra, saying, "Delete messages...our whole chat." Then there is one that sounds threatening, "If anyone in ur group snitched you know what's gonna happen to them." It continues, "Tell everyone keep their f---ing mouths shut." Then another text from the accused stated, "If he dies you already know what time it is." Silva would later be pronounced dead in hospital after suffering a gunshot wound to the stomach. Guerra Guerra would be charged and in court he has pleaded not guilty to second-degree murder and assault with a weapon. Last week, the jury was told that Altmann and her defence team are no longer involved in the trial and that they were not to speculate as to the reason. The trial resumes next week. Shopping Trends The Shopping Trends team is independent of the journalists at CTV News. We may earn a commission when you use our links to shop. Read about us. 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XINHUA – The global success of China’s acclaimed game Black Myth: Wukong has introduced the enchanting tale of Sun Wukong, or the Monkey King, to audiences worldwide. But for Ghaffar Pourazar, a British-American dual citizen living in California, this legendary figure has been a part of his identity for decades. Seated before the backstage mirror at Beijing’s Liyuan Theatre, an old Peking Opera venue especially popular among foreign travellers, Pourazar deftly applies white, red and black paint to his face, transforming it into the vibrant likeness of the mischievous Monkey King. “How time flies! Look at you, an old monkey now!” remarked an elderly from the opera troupe. “Indeed, I am now a white-haired Monkey King,” Pourazar, 63, replied in Mandarin, his distinctive Beijing accent evident. Pourazar has spent the past three decades mastering Peking Opera, establishing himself as a rare foreign performer excelling in this traditional Chinese art, and earning the nickname “Western Monkey King” for his exceptional portrayal of the Chinese superhero from the classic novel Journey to the West. Currently, he travels between China and the United States (US), serving as a cultural ambassador, introducing the art of Peking Opera to Western audiences, and offering a unique perspective of the art to Chinese audiences. “I want to be a bridge between cultures,” he said, reflecting on his multicultural background. LOVE AT FIRST SIGHT Pourazar’s lifelong passion for Peking Opera began by chance. In 1993, 32-year-old Pourazar, then a computer animator, attended a performance at London’s Queen Elizabeth Hall and was instantly captivated. “I was crying,” he recalled. I previously had a passion for various art forms, including acting, dancing, mime, and movement. But at that moment, everything else faded away. I saw the convergence of all these arts in Peking Opera.” He went to the backstage right after the show and made friends with the Chinese performers. “We didn’t speak each other’s language, but they could see my passion,” Pourazar said. With the help of the head of the Chinese troupe, Pourazar was enrolled at an opera school in Beijing. Just three months after his first exposure to Peking Opera, he left his life in Britain behind and moved to Beijing to train in the martial roles of the art. ABOVE & BELOW: Photos show Ghaffar Pourazar putting on make-up for his shows. PHOTO: XINHUA PHOTO: XINHUA ABOVE & BELOW: Pourazar dons his costume for the show; and during a perfomance. PHOTO: XINHUA PHOTO: XINHUA Starting as an adult was not easy, as Peking Opera is a complex blend of vocal performance, mime, martial arts, dance and acrobatics. “My classmates were all children,” he said. “As an adult without any basic skills, it is very hard for you to practice the movements.” In addition to the physical demands, mastering the Chinese language posed another hurdle. “I was constantly reciting the subtitles and songs, whether I was eating, bathing, walking, or even dreaming,” Pourazar added. “Though there were some extremely painful days, I enjoyed every moment,” he said. Initially, he focused on portraying ancient soldiers and generals like Wu Song and Lin Chong, before eventually transitioning to the iconic role of the Monkey King. LIFELONG COMMITMENT Pourazar believes that great art transcends languages. Over the years, he has devoted himself to introducing Peking Opera and Sun Wukong to international audiences, taking Chinese performers to perform in countries such as the US, Britain and Malaysia. He has also been teaching courses and organising workshops in the US, bringing Peking Opera to curious Western learners. To better connect with Western audiences and learners, he adapted some classic plays such as The Monkey King: Uproar in Heaven into English versions. “I changed the spoken parts into English and kept the original songs, and it became a success on the international stage,” he said. “I am the most powerful spirit in heaven and earth,” Pourazar exclaims, dressed in a signature yellow costume reminiscent of the Monkey King. As he recited the dialogues in English with the distinctive intonation of Peking Opera, he leaps, flips and executes movements that capture the playful nature of the mischievous monkey. Despite not being Chinese, his efforts bring the essence of the Monkey King to life. Over the past two decades, his captivating performances have introduced the enchanting character to numerous international audiences. “My young nephew, who lives in Turkiye, has become so enamoured with the Monkey King that he taught himself to perform this character,” Pourazar said. “I love the Monkey King for his simplicity and the inner child that defines his character. His love for freedom and quest for longevity are also qualities that I respect,” he said. “I believe this character resonates with people of different cultures.” With an aim to enhance communication with Western audiences, he also adapted Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream into Peking Opera. “By presenting a story that the Western audiences are already familiar with, I hope to more effectively introduce them to the charm of Peking Opera,” he said. In recognition of his contributions, Pourazar received the Great Wall Friendship Award from the Beijing government in 2014. Over the years, Pourazar has accumulated numerous injuries and health issues. His right knee now suffers from arthritis and edema due to excessive exertion during a recent Peking Opera workshop in California, yet he continues his efforts undeterred. “I rely on traditional Chinese medicine when I am unwell or injured,” he said while sipping Chinese green tea from an insulated bottle. He said his love for Chinese culture extends well beyond the Peking Opera, encompassing Chinese calligraphy, painting, cuisine and Kung Fu. Despite his health challenges and advancing age, Pourazar remains committed to his artistic pursuits.He is currently working on two Broadway-style musical projects, both influenced by the performance traditions of Peking Opera. The first, Dream of Wukong, explores his personal journey of mastering Peking Opera, while the second, Dr Jane Goodall, tells the story of the renowned ecologist and her extensive work with chimpanzees. “Cultural exchange should be reciprocal. I aim to blend my expertise in opera with my multicultural background to create enriching artistic experiences for the audiences,” Pourazar said.Some tech industry leaders are pushing the incoming Trump administration to increase visas for highly skilled workers from other nations. Related Articles National Politics | Trump threat to immigrant health care tempered by economic hopes National Politics | In states that ban abortion, social safety net programs often fail families National Politics | Court rules Georgia lawmakers can subpoena Fani Willis for information related to her Trump case National Politics | New 2025 laws hit hot topics from AI in movies to rapid-fire guns National Politics | Trump has pressed for voting changes. GOP majorities in Congress will try to make that happen The heart of the argument is, for America to remain competitive, the country needs to expand the number of skilled visas it gives out. The previous Trump administration did not increase the skilled visa program, instead clamping down on visas for students and educated workers, increasing denial rates. Not everyone in corporate America thinks the skilled worker program is great. Former workers at IT company Cognizant recently won a federal class-action lawsuit that said the company favored Indian employees over Americans from 2013 to 2022. A Bloomberg investigation found Cognizant, and other similar outsourcing companies, mainly used its skilled work visas for lower-level positions. Workers alleged Cognizant preferred Indian workers because they could be paid less and were more willing to accept inconvenient or less-favorable assignments. Question: Should the U.S. increase immigration levels for highly skilled workers? Caroline Freund, UC San Diego School of Global Policy and Strategy YES: Innovation is our superpower and it relies on people. Sourcing talent from 8 billion people in the world instead of 330 million here makes sense. Nearly half our Fortune 500 companies were founded by immigrants or their children. Growing them also relies on expanding our skilled workforce. The cap on skilled-worker visas has hardly changed since the computer age started. With AI on the horizon, attracting and building talent is more important than ever. Kelly Cunningham, San Diego Institute for Economic Research YES: After years of openly allowing millions of undocumented entrants into the country, why is there controversy over legally increasing somewhat the number having desirable skills? Undocumented immigration significantly impacts lower skill level jobs and wages competing with domestic workers at every skill level. Why should special cases be made against those having higher skills? Could they just not walk across the border anyway, why make it more inconvenient to those with desirable skills? James Hamilton, UC San Diego YES: Knowledge and technology are key drivers of the U.S. economy. Students come from all over the world to learn at U.S. universities, and their spending contributed $50 billion to U.S. exports last year. Technological advantage is what keeps us ahead of the rest of the world. Highly skilled immigrants contribute much more in taxes than they receive in public benefits. The skills immigrants bring to America can make us all better off. Norm Miller, University of San Diego YES: According to Forbes, the majority of billion-dollar startups were founded by foreigners. I’ve interviewed dozens of data analysts and programmers from Berkeley, UCSD, USD and a few other schools and 75% of them are foreign. There simply are not enough American graduates to fill the AI and data mining related jobs now exploding in the U.S. If we wish to remain a competitive economy, we need highly skilled and bright immigrants to come here and stay. David Ely, San Diego State University YES: Being able to employ highly skilled workers from a larger pool of candidates would strengthen the competitiveness of U.S. companies by increasing their capacity to perform research and innovate. This would boost the country’s economic output. Skilled workers from other nations that cannot remain in the U.S. will find jobs working for foreign rivals. The demand for H-1B visas far exceeds the current cap of 85,000, demonstrating a need to modify this program. Phil Blair, Manpower YES: Every country needs skilled workers, at all levels, to grow its economy. We should take advantage of the opportunity these workers provide our employers who need these skills. It should be blended into our immigration policies allowing for both short and long term visas. Gary London, London Moeder Advisors YES: San Diego is a premiere example of how highly skilled workers from around the globe enrich a community and its regional economy. Of course Visa levels need to be increased. But let’s go further. Tie visas and immigration with a provision that those who are admitted and educated at a U.S. university be incentivized, or even required, to be employed in the U.S. in exchange for their admittance. Bob Rauch, R.A. Rauch & Associates NO: While attracting high-skilled immigrants can fill critical gaps in sectors like technology, health care and advanced manufacturing, increasing high-skilled immigration could displace American workers and drive down wages in certain industries. There are already many qualified American workers available for some of these jobs. We should balance the need for specialized skills with the impact on the domestic workforce. I believe we can begin to increase the number of visas after a careful review of abuse. Austin Neudecker, Weave Growth YES: We should expand skilled visas to drive innovation and economic growth. Individuals who perform high-skilled work in labor-restricted industries or graduate from respected colleges with relevant degrees should be prioritized for naturalization. We depend on immigration for GDP growth, tax revenue, research, and so much more. Despite the abhorrent rhetoric and curtailing of visas in the first term, I hope the incoming administration can be persuaded to enact positive changes to a clearly flawed system. Chris Van Gorder, Scripps Health YES: But it should be based upon need, not politics. There are several industries that have or could have skilled workforce shortages, especially if the next administration tightens immigration as promised and expected. Over the years, there have been nursing shortages that have been met partially by trained and skilled nurses from other countries. The physician shortage is expected to get worse in the years to come. So, this visa program may very well be needed. Jamie Moraga, Franklin Revere NO: While skilled immigration could boost our economy and competitiveness, the U.S. should prioritize developing our domestic workforce. Hiring foreign nationals in sensitive industries or government-related work, especially in advanced technology or defense, raises security concerns. A balanced approach could involve targeted increases in non-sensitive high-demand fields coupled with investment in domestic STEM education and training programs. This could address immediate needs while strengthening the long-term STEM capabilities of the American workforce. Not participating this week: Alan Gin, University of San DiegoHaney Hong, San Diego County Taxpayers AssociationRay Major, economist Have an idea for an Econometer question? Email me at phillip.molnar@sduniontribune.com . Follow me on Threads: @phillip020
DULUTH – On Fridays, Mary Murphy lunched. The longest-serving woman in the Minnesota House, retired just two years, routinely sat alongside other politicians and laborers at a downtown restaurant and talked shop — and listened. The weekly lunch dates, first initiated by the late Judge Gerald Heaney , a labor-lawyer turned federal appellate judge here who has a courthouse named for him, have been going on for decades. “People always like to hear her point of view, her history,” said longtime friend Beth McCuskey, vice president of the North East Area Labor Council, who in recent years drove Murphy to the casual get-togethers. “When Mary would have something to share, the table would listen.” Murphy died Wednesday, days after she had a stroke and a “second series of complications,” according to Speaker of the House Melissa Hortman , DFL-Brooklyn Park . Murphy was 85 and just two years removed from politics. The Democrat from Hermantown was elected to the state House of Representatives in 1977 — and she held onto the position through 2022. She also taught at the former Duluth Central High School for more than 30 years. “She was a wonderful state representative and human being,” Hortman wrote on social media. “So many people will miss her and remember her and her accomplishments fondly.” Murphy had been active in local DFL politics for more than a decade in June of 1976 when she first announced her intention to run for a spot in the Minnesota House, supporting parts of St. Louis and Carlton counties. At the time, she was also teaching social studies. Murphy was in her mid-30s when she won the seat. In more than 40 years of state government , she had a hand instituting early-childhood programs, helped establish Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College and initiated legislation to establish wind power in Minnesota. She won countless awards for her work as a teacher and in politics. Murphy also went to all community events, from Proctor’s Hoghead Festival to community parades to spaghetti dinners. “She showed up,” McCuskey said. One of Murphy’s successes in recent years was a $1.87 billion bonding bill to pay for hundreds of state infrastructure projects that passed in 2020. At the time, Murphy, who sponsored the bill and chaired the House Capital Investment Division, said they had heard from more than 250 communities and agencies looking for assistance. “I can’t imagine how many water treatment plants she visited,” said Jeff Anderson, who worked alongside Murphy on campaigns, during his time as a Duluth city councilor and as a lobbyist. “It’s a real hallmark of her time. She believed in investment in the state.” Murphy lost to Republican Natalie Zeleznikar in the 2022 general election by just 33 votes — but it wasn’t the end of her political interests. Anderson said she continued to follow the Legislature closely. She was one of the state’s 10 electors during the Electoral College Assembly just more than a week ago in St. Paul. State Sen. Grant Hauschild said Murphy was one of the first people he connected with when he moved to Hermantown. He found a leader focused on children and the future and someone he could learn from. “I think her legacy will be that compassionate approach to politics,” he said. “Focusing on people, focusing on labor. I think her biggest legacy will be kids and education.” McCuskey described her as “a great listener.” “When you had a conversation with her, you knew she was paying attention to you,” she said. “She was listening; she stored it.” Murphy lived in the home she grew up in, one of Hermantown’s signature Jackson Project homes built in the 1930s as sustainable properties. Much of her home’s interior resembled what it looked like when she was growing up, according to those close to her. She was especially proud of her flower gardens. Lee Cutler, of the North East Area Labor Council, remembered Murphy as a devout Catholic. “It’s fitting that she died on Christmas,” he said. A few years ago, Murphy took Cutler for an hourslong walk along the grounds of her home, where she mowed her own grass with a tractor. “She loved anything that grew, even weeds,” Cutler said. “Much to the chagrin of her gardening friends, she let the weeds grow.” Murphy famously lived most of her life with just a landline telephone. A little-known secret: In recent years she had gotten a cellphone. “I think only three people had the number,” Cutler said. Murphy attended Hermantown Public Schools and the College of St. Scholastica and did graduate work at the University of Minnesota Duluth, Macalester College, the University of Wisconsin-Superior, American University and Indiana University, according to a Minnesota Legislature biography. When it was her turn to lead a prayer, she read the book “Old Turtle,” a bestselling fable by Douglas Wood with art by Duluth artist Cheng-Kee Chee. The state’s political leaders took to social media to remember Murphy. U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar described her as being ahead of her time in “so many ways.” “She was a strong advocate and so often the only woman at the table in northern MN,” Klobuchar said on social media. On Facebook, Gov. Tim Walz described her as “a true champion for the Northland.” In a statement, Hermantown city officials lamented her loss. “Hermantown will always be Mary’s hometown, and her contributions to the community will always remain,” the statement said. The Friday lunches will go on, even without one of the group’s stalwarts. McCuskey said she feels fortunate for the time spent in the car alongside her friend. This week, Murphy’s signature order will go unrealized: a side salad with French and ranch dressing and just three croutons, no more, no less, according to Cutler.